Frank Joseph Cerny
February 9, 1923 - April 5, 2021

Frank Joseph Cerny, Sr. was born February 9, 1923 the son of Josef and Karolina Cerny of Eureka. Both parents were originally from Czechoslovakia.

During preschool he lived on the logging camps at Camp 20 above Crannell and Fieldbrook, where his father was a lumberjack. Later on, growing up, he lived in Cutten, attending Cutten Elementary School, then Eureka Junior and Senior High Schools. He attended Humboldt State College for two years then was called to active duty in the Navy V-12 Program, reporting to duty at the College of the Pacific in Stockton, CA Marine Corp unit, then Parris Island, Camp Lejeune and Quantico training resulted in being commissioned a second lieutenant.

He served in the occupation of Japan at the Yokuska Naval Base. Returning home he graduated from Humboldt State in June 1947. He married Libby Gabriel in 1948 and lived in Samoa and was called back to active duty by the Marine Corps in 1951. He took his wife and two-year-old son, Frank Jr. while stationed at Quantico. Shortly thereafter he was flown to Korea, serving as the company commander in the First Division of the Marine Corps Signal Battalion.

In 1952 returned home to his family, where he was employed with the Hammond Lumber Company. Son Tony was added to the family in 1953. Frank built and moved the family to their new Eureka home in 1956. He was a practicing CPA in Eureka for over 40 years.

Frank was a charter and life member of the Six Rivers Detachment, Marine Corps League, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars. He belonged to the Baywood Golf and Country Club for thirty five years being an avid golfer.

Frank is survived by his wife Libby Cerny, son Tony and his wife Janice Cerny, nephews Bart Christen, Mark and his wife Tina Christen and their children Frankie, Hannah and AJ.; niece Susan and husband Steve Aherns. He was preceded in death by his father Joseph, mother Karolina, and son Frank Cerny, Jr. and sister Mary Peterson; sister-in-law Toni and her husband Al Christen.

Frank loved to play golf and enjoyed his life with his wife Libby of 72 years. Frank was residing at the Ida Emerson Hospice House for just about two years. No services are planned, however donations may be made to Hospice of Humboldt who provide dignified and amazing loving care.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Frank Cerny’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.