Funeral arrangements have been announced for longtime Manhattan High soccer coach Francisco “Frank” Alonso, who died Sunday after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
A Celebration of his life will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, November 10th at the First United Methodist Church, 612 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS, with Dr. Rick L. Wright officiating.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Manhattan-Ogden Public Schools Foundation for a future soccer scholarship fund in Frank’s honor. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Francisco Xavier “Frank” Alonso, age 52, of Manhattan, Kansas, died November 4, 2018, at Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by his loved ones and was at peace.
He was born October 21, 1966, in London, England, the son of Jose Luis and Christine
(Richard) Alonso. Frank was raised in London and moved to the United States in 1990. He earned his bachelor’s in history and his masters in sports administration from Kansas State University.
Coaching was Frank’s passion and his life’s work. Frank coached soccer in the Manhattan community for twenty years. He was the head coach for the Manhattan High School boys soccer team, and coached club soccer as well. Through this, he impacted the lives of thousands of players.
He enjoyed playing golf, cooking, was a passionate Liverpool FC and England supporter, and was a past National Collegiate Pool Champion. He was employed at Cox Communications in Manhattan, where he worked with loving and supportive co-workers.
On July 26, 2014, he married his best buddy Jennifer Ann Latta. Jennifer, of Manhattan, survives. Frank was previously married to Penny Shelton in Manhattan in 1991. They had two daughters: Isabella Alonso of Chicago, IL, and Sophia Dowling of Kansas City, KS. His daughters were his pride and joy. His son-in-laws are Brian Broeckelman of Chicago, IL, and Laton Dowling of Kansas City. He is survived by his proud and loving parents: Jose Luis and Christine Alonso of Ruislip, England; two brothers: David Alonso and his wife Jodie of San Diego, CA, and Stephane Alonso of Ruislip, England; and four nieces and nephews: Stephanie, Victoria, Harrison and Rosie.
