Frank Jay Maas was born Oct. 23rd, 1946 in St. Helena, California, the middle child of his parents, Clarance and Genevieve Maas. Miriam was the oldest, and Sherry was born last. Franks father was a carpenter, builder, lab tech, sheep shearer, and logger, among other skills. Clarence built 4 of the Maas homes, and all of these skills contributed to Franks many talents as he grew up. The family relocated to Oregon and moved twice a year as Frank’s Dad fell timber September through March, and sheared sheep from April into summer.
Frank attended elementary school in Enterprise, Oregon; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Sebastopol, California. When the family moved to Salmon, Idaho, Frank attended the Seventh Day Adventist Church school through the 8th grade. The family moved to Pendleton, Oregon, but Frank and Miriam attended high school at Gem State Academy in Caldwell, Idaho. During the summer months Frank worked for Kenny Moore in Eagle, Idaho where he learned about tree service.
Frank graduated from Gem State Academy in 1964, and was inducted into the Army as a conscientious objector. He was stationed in Tokyo, Japan where he was trained as a medic and physical therapist during the Vietnam war. Frank was a gifted musician, and while serving his country in Tokyo, he taught himself how to play the electric and bass guitar. He learned so fast and well that he was soon playing in local clubs after his hospital shift. He was the only white boy in the band.
After his honorable discharge, Frank moved to Portland, Oregon where his family lived. He worked at United Medical Laboratories in the construction department, and moonlighted with the Rose City Singers as a guitarist.
In 1969, Frank married Candace Graham, and the following year Monte Jay Maas was born. Frank enrolled in night school and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. By day he worked at Hyster Corporation as a welder.
Frank also completed all the qualifications to become a firefighter for the Portland Fire Bureau in 1976. He became a top fire fighter. Frank and Candace divorced and later Frank married Sandra Newburn. Their son Ryan James Maas was born in 1979.
Frank and his friend Al Carochi found a hidden wall in the basement of an old fire station, and behind it they discovered a horse drawn 1911 American LaFrance Steam pumper. They restored it to its former glory, and it is pulled by horses in every Rose Festival Parade. It is on exhibit in the downtown Portland Fire Station. Frank was honored as Fire Fighter of the Year in 1984.
Frank and Sandra eventually divorced, and Frank married Jeannie who added her 3 children to the family. They moved to Lake Oswego. On his off days with the Fire Department, Frank built a metal fabrication business, a tree removal service, a cedar shake company, and continued playing music in local clubs at night. This did not leave much time for family. One night 4-year-old Ryan said “ Dad, I never get to see you much anymore” . This heart check moved Frank to ask the Lord to make him a better father and husband.
Three days later Frank was removing a Douglas fir tree. He climbed the tree and cut the limbs up to 102 feet, and when he cut the top of the tree he realized, too late, that he had cut below his safety rope. As the tree top fell, taking Frank with it over 100 feet, Frank prayed, “God, please don’t let me die” Miraculously Frank survived, but his life was changed forever.
Frank spent 31 days in ICU hanging in the balance. His Fire Chief came to him and said, “ If you can hold a pencil in your teeth and peck a typewriter, you will have a job with the Fire Bureau.” His co-workers took turns working Frank’s shift for a year to keep the position open, and they donated that salary back to Frank. The Heritage Singers donated a percent from every concert to help pay Frank’s mortgage.
700 fire fighters each donated $100, and Crystal Gayle donated $16,000 from a concert toward an experimental surgery performed in Mexico to restore movement in Franks hands. After 17 hours of surgery, Frank had a heart attack and the surgical team had to stop. Even though he was never able to walk or fully use his hands, Frank was able to do programing for the fire department until his retirement in 2000. He spent a full year in hospitals and re-hab, learning to navigate in a wheel chair. During Frank’s rehab, his wife divorced him.
After Frank retired he spent a year with his sister Sherry in Boise, Idaho. He and his sisters recorded several CD’s. He then relocated to Midvale Idaho where he designed and developed “The Rodenator”, which is a propane device that exterminates gophers and harmful rodents.
In 2002 God began answering Frank’s request to be a better father and husband. Frank was scheduled to sing at church, as was another singer, Barbie Yeatts. When they met, God smiled on them, and they were married in 2004. Frank finally met his match. Frank and Barb spent 21 years together, making beautiful music. They sang at concerts, churches, weddings, campouts, and other special events, and recorded a CD. They also spent 10 years doing the worship for Angel Camp Cowboy Church in Midvale, Idaho. They relocated to Wyoming and to Montana, and finally to a better climate in Arizona. Frank passed away peacefully in his Arizona home March 6th, 2025.
Frank was a remarkable man of multiple talents. He was fearless and lived on the edge; motor cycle racing, snow skiing, para-skiing, and water skiing. He was recognized nationally for BAREFOOT water skiing and for slalom trick and jump skiing. Musically he could play all the brass instruments and guitars, plus the keyboards. After his accident he determined, with God’s help, to focus on the things he COULD do. He began singing, using a God given voice that had perfect pitch. He used his recording studio to record CDs with his sisters, with Barb and for many other artists, and for worship at church. He acquired an Engineering program “Solid Works” and began designing inventions. After 40 years and 9 months in a wheel chair, Frank had developed a heart to make the world better for the people he connected with. He loved his boys and grandchildren, and he became the better person he asked the Lord to make him.
We who knew him miss his quick wit, his compassion, his golden voice, and his unwavering faith in Jesus. Until we meet again!
There will be a celebration of Frank’s life at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, November 16th, 2025 at Angel Camp Cowboy Church 2147 Old Hwy Rd. Midvale, Idaho
We will share a potluck afterwards and appreciate everyone bringing a favorite dish.
