Darrel Franklin "Frank" Wilkerson

Darrel Franklin “Frank” Wilkerson Sr. went to be with the Lord on April 8, 2026, peacefully in his sleep. Frank was born to Harry and Lula Wilkerson on their farm in Banner, OK, on June 3, 1933. He graduated from El Reno High School in 1951 and was later recognized as a distinguished alumnus. He also received a technical certification from OCU and attended Central State University.

On May 31, 1953, he married his loving wife, Nadine Ruth Wilkerson, née Ellison. Together, they traveled to every continent except Antarctica. Frank was an avid outdoorsman who shared his passion for fishing and hunting with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His yearly harvest of tomatoes and okra will be greatly missed by his family and church community.

An extremely accomplished man, Frank founded Wilkie Manufacturing in 1972 and contributed to several engineering projects around the state, including work on radar trucks for the National Severe Storms Laboratory and Texas Tech.

Frank is preceded in death by his father, Harry, and his mother, Lula Wilkerson. He is also preceded in death by his four older siblings: Donald Eugene, Ruth Louise, Leonard Dale, and Harry Vern.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Nadine Wilkerson. He is also survived by his sons: Darrel Jr. and his wife Rena, Bruce and his wife Robin, and Bryan; his grandchildren: Rikki and her husband Joshua Kirby, Eli and his wife Annie, Caleb and his wife Rachael, Ariel, and Grady; and his great-grandchildren: Obadiah, Samuel, and Abigail Kirby, and Ella, Rex, and Claire Wilkerson.

A viewing will be held Monday, April 13, from 5–7 p.m. at Yanda & Son Funeral Home in Yukon. The service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, at St. Mark’s Bethany Methodist Church, with burial following at 2 p.m. at El Reno Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your favorite charity.