Frank Robert Kroll, 72, longtime resident of Fallon, passed away April 15, 2026, of heart complications from a bacterial infection. He is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Wanda (Hill) Kroll, his sister, Karen (Kroll) Bane, and his brothers, Trent and James Kroll. He is survived by his wife, Mary, sister, Kate Kroll, son, Ronald (Becki) Kroll, and grandson, Jase Kroll, as well as many beloved nephews, nieces, in-laws, and cousins.
Frank was passionate, multi-faceted, and a self-trained expert in all his endeavors, be it boat and car racing, motor homing, gardening, cooking, hunting, or in his business. He managed these myriad interests all while treasuring his friendships, his family, and his beloved wife, Mary. With Frank, it was all or nothing. And you were included.
Frank had a long-time love affair with speed. He came to his marriage in 1976 equipped with a '67 Chevelle and a ’40s Willys. It was a package deal his wife was glad to accept that lasted nearly 50 years. A five-time world champion boat racer, Frank knew the edge and walked it naturally. Frank raced a multitude of cars, including the Willys, and thrilled audiences with his wheelies. Frank enjoyed the comradery of the many racing teams, especially his own racing team that included his son, Ron.
That love affair with speed began early in his life with his brother Trent as they worked on Trent's ‘56 Chevy and built his ‘32 Ford T-bucket roadster that started with a Moon Foot gas pedal placed with intention in their bedroom closet. When Frank played center in high school football, he was as speedy on his feet as he was later on asphalt and water.
Frank graduated from Churchill County High School in 1971. He was a hard worker during his high school years. Frank had his own patch of garden that he tended between football practice, milking cows, and building fast cars with his brother Trent. The corn from his garden ended up for sale in his Uncle Jack's Country Store in Fernley.
Frank was wicked smart. He could puzzle out a problem even if he had never seen it before. This ability to troubleshoot stood him in good stead with his business as an electrical contractor. Frank and his son Ron opened and ran Lahontan Valley Electric in Fallon and the surrounding communities for nearly 40 years.
When Frank was not racing or wiring houses, he was an avid outdoorsman in hunting and fishing. He enjoyed stream and lake fishing for trout and largemouth bass. He caught sturgeon and salmon in California’s rivers and rock fish from the Pacific Ocean. He hunted big game such as elk, deer, and antelope in the farthest reaches of Nevada and Montana. Frank also went pig hunting with his nephew, Ronnie (any excuse for a road trip). The highlight of his hunting career was a safari in South Africa. He came home with trophy heads of five antelope species. During these journeys and adventures, Frank made many more friends in the hunting and fishing communities.
All this meat-gathering led Frank to further his BBQ and smoker finesse. He was an aficionado of meat and could cure it, brine it, grill it, smoke it — as long as it could be cooked outdoors, it was his delight to present the finest. He was so skilled that the ranchers at his grandson Jase's graduation party, all diehard beef eaters, said his BBQ chicken was the best they’d ever eaten.
Frank’s interest was not only in meats. In his later years, his youthful passion for gardening turned into a carefully curated garden each year, which he used to complement his meals and to share with many. Every time someone visited, they left laden with sacks of vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
Frank was admired and loved by many. We will miss his sense of humor, his zest for life, his wisdom and timing, and his steadfast and comforting presence. We say, "Farewell and see you later,” to our hero.
Please join us for services at Smith Family Funeral Home, 505 Rio Vista Drive, Fallon, Nevada, on May 1, 2026, at noon. There will be a viewing from 11 a.m. to noon. Refreshments and snacks will be provided following the service.
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