Franklin “Frank” Strader
1933-2025
Franklin “Frank” Strader, 91, of Berkeley Springs, passed away July 5, 2025 at home after a long illness.
Born December 5, 1933 to Linzy and Mae Strader of Orlando, W.Va., he was part of a large family of farmers.
Frank grew up working the farm and doing chores with his siblings before going to work at Goodyear Aircraft in Akron, Ohio after high school. He helped build the blimps and fuselages of the Piasecki “Flying Banana” helicopters used in the Korean War. He had been drafted but found out later he’d been deferred briefly from serving in the Army because he was helping in this work.
He took basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and served at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Md. He also served in the Army Reserves. He met his wife of 59 years Vivian Darlene Kuhl of Burnsville, W.Va., in Delaware. They married July 18, 1959 and resided in Delaware until moving to Berkeley Springs in 2002. He was a loving husband and father and often worked 50 hours a week or two jobs. He attended Goldey-Beacom College night school, worked for Westvaco in data processing and payroll, the University of Delaware, Wassam’s Variety as an assistant manager, and lastly Curtis Paper Company in Newark, Del. There he’d been traffic manager, lab tech, and purchasing agent. He retired in 1997. He was also a part-time real estate agent.
He, Vivian and daughter Tricia loved country music and bluegrass, and used to attend concerts often. They met many well known artists and became friends with some of them, friendships that lasted several years.
The family became involved in Civil War reenacting and living history lectures in the 1990s. All three of them received Governor’s Service Commendations in 2008. Frank was a history buff and liked to talk about notables he was related to like Generals Stonewall Jackson and John Imboden. He had been a member of 8th VA Infantry and 5th VA Continental Morgan Guard as provost marshal, participating in local Bath-Romney Campaign living histories. He was in History Channel productions and movies like “Gods and Generals,” “April 1865,” and “Stealing Lincoln’s Body.”
Frank was a man of honesty and integrity, and his word was his bond. He was a member of the Camp 199 Sons of Confederate Veterans. He was a carpenter and wood craftsman and had items in his daughter’s Valor in the Valley art show at the Ice House. He was an excellent marksman and hunter, and shot his first 10-point buck in November 2024. He voted in every election since Dwight Eisenhower ran for President. He was very patriotic and loved the USA, and was modest about his veteran status; but he went to Heaven with the fireworks of July 4th, a fitting end to a wonderful life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, several brothers, two sisters, and his wife Vivian.
He is survived by their daughter Tricia Lynn Strader, a brother, three sisters and several nieces and nephews.
A service with military honors was held July 12 in Flatwoods, W.Va., with burial at Posey Cemetery, Orlando, W.Va.
A Memorial/Celebration of Life service for Frank and Vivian will be held August 16 at 3 p.m. at Weslyan Chapel, 76 Vernon St., Berkeley Springs. Any friends can come to share a memory, or send via Facebook or email to Tricia Strader.