Frank Tosta

Frank (Lefty) Eugene Tosta, 87, of Gentry, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on November 12, 2011, in Highfill, Arkansas. Born October 5, 1924, in Patterson, California, he was the son of John and Mary Lewis Tosta. Lefty was known and loved by all and loved by all as one of the last of the great cowboys. He loved his family; he loved his horses; and he loved life. He lived his first 67 years in the Central California Valley. In 1991, he left those familiar trails and moved, with his wife MariAnn, to his new home and ranch in Arkansas. Immediately Lefty had a new posse of cowboy friends as he continued to rope and rodeo in his new surroundings. Lefty loved having the cowboys spend hours roping at his ranch. He was a tough, winning calf roper. He was a member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, PRCA, California Cowboy Assn, National Old Timers Rodeo Assn, and the Senior Pro Rodeo Assn. He was a hired hand working with Charlton Heston in the 1958 movie, The Big Country. In addition to roping and rodeoing, Lefty was a successful cattleman in California and in Arkansas. In California he had herds on pasture and in the mountains. Often the cattle would get through the fence and he was quick to smile and say “The feed is always cheaper and greener on the other side of the fence”. He was a rugged cattleman and not easily foiled by difficulty. While on a round up, a limb slammed back to smack Lefty in the face and break a few teeth. He continued the round up until the last of the cattle were loaded in the trailer. We also remember the day “Lefty” was loading cattle and a cow head-butted him, pinning him, breaking two ribs, but he still took the cattle to the sales barn. In 1963 he joined the Operating Engineers Local Union and Spent the next 25 years in the heavy construction industry. While in California, many of his construction years were spent as a foreman for George Reed. Lefty spent his last years on his ranch surrounded by his loving family and friends. His big heart, broad shoulders, beaming smile and contagious laugh will be missed by all. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John Tosta and Joe Tosta; and sisters Mary Corn and Rosie Case. Survivors include his wife, MariAnn; sister Eva Borges of California; sons Danny Heitman and wife Belma of Louisiana; Fritz Tosta and wife Debbie of California, Steve Tosta and wife Korinne of Arkansas; his daughters, Susie Keckler and Mike of California, Julee Gilbert and husband Mike of New York; 16 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, November 18, 2011, at Gentry Cemetery, Gentry, Arkansas, with Pastor Karl Roten officiating.

Tributes

Frank Tosta

October 5, 1924 - November 12, 2011