Franklin Naputi Salas, 52, of Vicksburg died on June 13, 2010, in Jackson, Miss.

He was born Feb. 1, 1958, in Spokane, Wash., the son of Juan and Rosalia Salas. He has lived in various places around the world but considered the Gulf Coast his home.

Frank graduated from Lincoln High School, Lincoln, Mo., in 1976 and went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force. He also served in the United States Air Force Reserves while attending college, ultimately finishing with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force after serving 17 years. He was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, and decided to make the Gulf his home.

Shortly before leaving the service, Frank began working on the casino boats where he learned about the industry and developed a passion for it. His entrepreneurial spirit drove him to launch his first business, S1 Gaming. Most recently, he was the owner of Southern Mississippi Signs. Frank was always successful in business mainly due to his love for people, his giving spirit and always coming through with what he promised.

Although Frank enjoyed many hobbies in life such as golfing, fishing, traveling and scuba diving, his adventurous nature brought him to what he became the most passionate about: kite boarding and riding his Harley. A great day was kiting with his buddies or riding with his girlfriend, Laral. Frank’s motto in life was to live each day to its fullest and have no regrets and he did just that.

In addition to his girlfriend, Laral Chandler of Vicksburg, Frank is survived by his parents, Juan and Rosalia Salas, Windsor, Mo.; two daughters, Jackie Salas, Warsaw, Mo., and Molly Enebrad, Wilmington, N.C.; four sisters, Doris Lawson, Eugene, Mo., Kathy Fisk, Knob Noster, Mo., Belle Sands, Windsor and Chris Goff, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; one brother, John Salas, Kansas City, Mo.; four grandchildren, Aspen Whitaker and Gage Whitaker, both of Warsaw, and newborn twins, Nolan and Asher Enebrad, both of Wilmington; 12 nieces and nephews; and 12 great-nieces and -nephews, along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many close friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Naputi Salas.

The funeral service will be Friday, June 18, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street in Gulfport, where friends may visit at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial donations to be sent to the Mississippi Organ Recovery, 12 River Bend Place, Flowood, MS, 39232.

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