Roll Call Tribute

Frank R. Crapitto 

July 26, 1942 - June 12, 2023 

Frank Ray Crapitto, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend, was born in Houston, Texas, on the 26th of July 1942, and passed away peacefully on Monday, the 12th of June 2023, surrounded by his loving family after a long illness. He was 80 years of age.

Frank graduated from Lamar High School in Houston and Texas A&M University with a degree in Agricultural Science. He was a member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and a member of the Texas A&M Rodeo Association. After college, Frank enjoyed a successful 30-year career in the liquor, beer, and wine business. He also owned and operated AdCorp Sign Company, Crapitto's Cucina Italiana, Frank's Chop House, and Mowdy Boats of Texas.

Frank had a passion for fishing, food, golf, horses, and wine. He was a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for over 50 years where he served on and chaired the World's Championship BBQ Committee and was a founding member of the Wine Sales Committee. Frank was also a lifetime member of the HLSR Board of Directors. He was a member of the Tejas Vaqueros for 44 years, which led to many life-long friendships and adventures. Frank loved weekends at his house in Port O'Connor, Texas where he relished the time that he spent there fishing and entertaining family and friends. He and Doreen began spending their summers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 2008, where he quickly set about tuning up his golf game and together they embraced the outdoors and fly-fishing on the Snake River.

His parents, Nellie McGowen Crapitto and Louis A. Crapitto, MD preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Doreen Wise; his son, John B. Crapitto and his wife Cathy; his daughters, Toni L. Giammalva and her husband Sammy, Amy C. Weitinger and her husband Jim; grandchildren that he adored as they did him, Hayley Dryden, Sam Giammalva, III, Anna Giammalva, Catherine Giammalva, Jace Weitinger, and Doreen's children, Travis Wise and Erin Lester. He is also survived by his three siblings, Anna C. Zander and her husband Steve, Louis A. "Louie" Crapitto and his wife Grace, and Mary Nell Crapitto; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Friends are cordially invited to a Celebration of Life to be conducted at twelve o'clock noon on Saturday, the 24th of June, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. KINDLY NOTE: Frank's favorite color was pink, so please consider wearing something pink to honor him. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family and share remembrances of Frank during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

Prior to Saturday's service, the family will have gathered for a private interment next to Frank's parents at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston. Honored to serve as pallbearers during the service are Matthew Zander, Michael Zander, Chris Zander, Louie Crapitto, Jr., Louie Crapitto, III, Sam Giammalva, Jr., Sam Giammalva, III and James Weitinger. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Charlie Zander, Justin White, Steve Beery, Johnny Braniff, Sr., Pat Cagle, Patrick D'Antoni, Roger Ezell, Bob Hopson, Steve Stevens, Ronnie Williams and the members of the Tejas Vaqueros.

In lieu of customary remembrances, Frank asked that everyone please consider making a charitable contribution to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (jdrf.org), Texas Center for the Missing, (centerforthemissing.org), or the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Foundation (als.org).

Please visit Frank's online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.

"Frank will always be remembered for his love, and adoration for his wife, family, and many close friends."