The death of Frank “Sonny” Medel, only age 55, has caused one of his best friends to pay an instant tribute.
When fellow disc jockey Louie Garcia heard the news on Feb. 6, he began playing audio tapes of some of Sonny’s best shows for his online station, Midwest Tejano Radio.
His aunt, Monica Reyes, wrote, “This afternoon we lost our nephew, our friend, and our partner in many community projects in the region, Frank ‘Sonny’ Medel Jr. He was a great friend to many and always willing to help anyone in need. His commitment first and foremost was to his family, Mom (Juanita Medel) and Dad (Frank Medel Sr.), and brothers, Dwayne M Medel and B.J. He was so close to his cousins, too many to name, but he called each of them ‘brother’ and ‘sister,’ he never called them cousins.”
Monica added, “I can’t tell you enough about his volunteering and his dedication to helping others in need. And who can forget that he was a DJ before anyone! TCT Entertainment! Many of you can say he played at your wedding, your kid’s quinceanera, or your birthday or anniversary party. Whatever the occasion, he would make it happen.”
Sonny Medel attended the former St. Mary’s Cathedral School and graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central after the mid-1980s consolidation. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1987 to 1993.
Tributes quickly began pouring into Frank Medel’s Facebook page. On Jan. 20, as if foreshadowing his own fate a couple weeks later, he wrote:
“To all my DJ’s around the world. There are too many to name but the ones that gave me my start (are) Rick Diaz, Jack E. Luna, Mike VanNorman, Ray Pearson, Robert Gomez Daniel Gonzalez: Thank you for believing in me. To the one I started this crazy career with Adam Banda Gonzalez, Michael Angel Hernandez, Dwayne M Medel, Adam Tron Buitron III, B Medel, Louie Garcia, and I’m sure so many others. Thank you for always being there. Of course I have to Thank my father Frank Medel Sr. & David Chantaca (Emma Chantaca) for giving me the tools to fulfill my dreams with advice and equipment. ‘Ain’t no Party Like a TCT Party cause a TCT Party don’t stop,’ Love to all.”
A Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 910 N. 6th Ave. Rev. Fr. Francis Voris, OFM Cap will officiate. Military Honors will follow under the auspices of the United States Marine Corps and American Legion Post #22. Honoring Frank’s wishes, cremation will follow the service. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 4480 Mackinaw Road on Monday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Marine Corps League and Patriot Guard Riders will hold a walk through and presentation at 6:00 p.m. with a parish vigil service to follow. Frank will lie in state at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.
