Frank Wilson
April 28, 1950 – January 8, 2025
Frank Wilson (Far Right) celebrating the 1995 World Chuckwagon Championship with
(L-R): Angie and Clint Coyne of Oil City Equipment Sales, Donna and Jerry Bremner, Lynne Wilson
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association has been saddened by the loss of active supporter Frank Wilson on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at the age of 74.
Frank first got involved in chuckwagon racing in 1995 when his company Delta Cats teamed up with Oil City Equipment Sales and Denny King Oilfield Construction. The trio of companies affectionately called themselves “The Runnin’ Machine” and threw their support behind chuckwagon driver Jerry Bremner. Right from the get go The Runnin’ Machine qualified for the championship final heat at the Grande Prairie Stompede, and Frank instantly became an avid chuckwagon fan. Midseason The Runnin’ Machine qualified for another major championship heat at the Ponoka Stampede where they qualified in first place. Although they failed to win at both Grande Prairie and Ponoka, they saved the best for last when The Runnin’ Machine, drive by Jerry Bremner, capped off the 1995 season by winning the World Chuckwagon Championship.
The following year the Runnin’ Machine again backed driver Jerry Bremner, and started fast when they captured the Trochu Lions Club Race meet to start the season. In July The Runnin’ Machine qualified for the championship final heat at the Ponoka Stampede for the second consecutive year, and when the dust settled the outfit walked off with the 1996 Ponoka Stampede Championship – much to the delight of Frank Wilson. 1996 would be the last year that The Runnin’ Machine tarp would circle the racetracks of the WPCA.
In 1997, Frank decided to go out on his own as a sponsor, and under the canvas of Delta Pipeliners, bought Jerry Bremner for the 1997 Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby. It was the first year Frank had a wagon at the Calgary Stampede. He had a second wagon at Calgary in 1999 when Frank’s Delta Oilfield Construction partnered up with driver Norm Cuthbertson. Frank’s final year sponsoring a wagon was in 2000 at the Calgary Stampede when he again partnered up with chuckwagon driver Norm Cuthbertson, this time under the canvas of one of Frank’s start up companies – Plow King.
During his time with the World Professional Chuckwagon Association, Frank not only had a tremendous amount of success on the racetrack, but was a well liked individual and supported not only his drivers but many WPCA charitable causes. Frank was a popular individual who became an avid fan of chuckwagon racing and rarely missed a wagon race. In 2002 Frank was honored by the WPCA with it’s Active Supporter Award.
Frank is survived by his loving wife Kim Purdy, his brothers Robert (Calgary), Mark (Rimbey), Darcy (Yan) (Fort MacMurray), and Grant (Edmonton), his children Desmond (Michelle) (Red Deer), Chris (Michelle) (Kelowna), Jessica (Chuck) (Utah), Landon (Calgary), and Brett (Basia) (Calgary), and his cherished grandchildren: Meadow, Cooper, Carissa, Brie (Desmond); Carter, Alex, Oliver, and Duke (Chris); Chase, Nathan, and Ashlyn (Jessica); Carson, Ronan, and Cash (Landon); Jacob and Liam (Brett). He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins who were dear to him, including Logan, Saiisha, Philip, Mackenzie (Mark), Sydney, and Katherine (Darcy); and cousins Ilse Dubiel (Gene) of New York, Tassey Mariani (Tom) of Maryland, and Rickie Foreman (Schnevus).
Frank was preceded in death by his mother, Traute, his father, Russell, his brothers Ronald and Donald, and his aunt Dora Keding Russo.
A celebration of Frank’s life will be held at the Red Deer Resort and Casino on Saturday, January 18th, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. All who knew him are welcome to join in honoring his legacy and remembering the many lives he touched.
Condolences may be forwarded to www.sylvanlakefuneralhome.ca. Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements.
Frank will be missed by all in the WPCA, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Wilson family.
Billy Melville
