Frances Kay Masters

Frances Kay Masters,78, passed away on Friday, February 9, 2024, peacefully and surrounded by prayers and love after complications from surgery. Fran was born on November 23, 1945, to Perry and Marie Arnold in El Reno, OK, where she also spent a very idyllic childhood. She was considered and treated like the princess of the family, and she had so many fond memories of growing up, both with her family and with her friends. She was always focused on her studies, excelling at whatever she decided to pursue. She was fortunate enough to meet her best friend, life partner, and soulmate, Joe Masters, at the age of 13, where they had several 7th grade classes together at El Reno Junior High. They began going steady almost immediately. As they moved up to high school, Fran focused much of her time on her studies in French, so that she could tutor Joe. Joe and Fran dated throughout high school, marrying in December of 1966. After they married, Joe and Fran moved to Oklahoma City while Fran completed Nursing School in 1967. Joe later graduated with a Political Science degree from Central State University, and he joined the Air Force, where he served for 4 years in San Antonio, TX; Biloxi, MS; and Denver, CO, while Fran continued practicing nursing all across the country. They returned to Tinker AFB in Oklahoma and gave birth to their daughter Kristen in 1971. She continued on her nursing path. After Joe's career in the Air Force, Joe and Fran were relocated to Leavenworth, KS, where Joe and Fran had their second daughter, Karyn (1975). They moved to Philadelphia, PA, for a short time before returning to settle and establish their family of 4 in Yukon, OK. Fran worked for the VA Hospital in the dialysis unit for 27 years. When her daughters were in high school, she graduated with her Master's in Nursing and worked as an RN. She later worked for the OU Medical Center, and she finished out her nursing career in education at OCCC. One of her crowning accomplishments with teaching nurses was performing as the "dummy" patient when they were completing simulations.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Perry and Marie Arnold; her brother, Gregg; her beloved daughter, Kristen Quintero, and her soulmate and life-long love, Joe Masters. Fran is survived by her daughter, Karyn Garcia, and her husband, Steve; her three favorite reasons to brag: Collin Garcia (19), Drew Garcia (16), Joshua Quintero (12); and numerous extended family members and loyal friends.

Loved ones describe Frannie as a kind soul and a gentle spirit. She was a beautiful woman who was the best supporting figure…no matter the endeavor. She was absolutely silly and always ready for an adventure! She loved hearing Joe tell a story, and she would hang on to his every word, as if it was the first time she had ever heard it. Fran loved her successful career, bird watching, hearing about Collin's exploits, watching rom-coms with Drew, road trippin' anywhere, coffee on the porch, hamburgers and onion rings, banana pudding, pina coladas, popcorn, buttered pecan ice cream, fresh sheets, going to the movies, fresh flowers, breakfast any time, soaking strawberries in sugar, starting traditions, secretly feeding squirrels, Christmas lights, waffles, and being a Nana – in no particular order. She will be sorely missed and very fondly remembered.

Celebration of life services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 17, 2024 at the Yanda & Son Funeral Home Chapel, Yukon, OK, followed by an informal gathering at Fran's Clubhouse.