I can honestly say that no matter how you knew Frank, I’m pretty sure he affected your life in some positive way. Repeatedly I heard that Frank was loved by everyone. I kept hearing that they didn’t know one person who didn’t like Sonny and it wasn’t an exaggeration. In preparing for this article, I read all the emails I received filled with anecdotes and different experiences that people from all walks of life had with Sonny.

When Frank was a little kid, he was always happy and a daring little guy. He tried to act shy, but he would give us besos (kisses) and hugs with his tiny arms. That’s how his immediate family remembers him. As he grew up, he was still adventurous and by the time he was a teenager Frank was operating his own business as a DJ. His future was in “musica” (music) and bringing people together.

Frank “Sonny” Medel, Jr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps during Desert Storm 1990-91 and reached the rank of Corporal. He was employed at the Aleda E. Lutz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and served as an Assistant Security Dispatcher. His passion in life was serving and assisting veterans, helping them navigate how to get the proper care and help at the VA. His work didn’t end at the VA. He worked with many nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving veterans and their families. Frank was recognized by the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan as Veteran of the Year for his service to veterans across the state of Michigan.  

Anthony Rubio, Disabled American Veterans State Commander said, “I always considered Frank a veteran brother of mine.” Rubio added that although they did not see each other day-to-day, “I knew that I could count on him when I needed it. Whether it was for a fellow veteran we were working with or myself, he was there. Frank’s service to his country was exceptional and greatly appreciated. As a great American, he was called into service, and he accepted, never looking back. And he continued his calling once again for his fellow veterans and served dutifully at the VA hospital in Saginaw. At the Aleda E. Lutz VA facility many veterans’ first contact was with Frank, making them feel safe and heard. We appreciate what Frank has done for his country, the Marine Corps, and his ongoing work with and for veterans. We all considered Frank Medel Jr. a true American Hero and he will be dearly missed.”

Frank founded TCT Entertainment on May 11, 1985, a DJ plus small business that grew to entertain hundreds of audiences in Michigan for 39 years. Frank was on a mission. He brought music to the masses as a DJ like no other. He was mixing, scratching, staged with great lights, bass bottoms, pyrotechnics, and an over-the-top show. I saw a lot of tributes for Frank this week and the influence his DJ business made on the community. It’s true! Hundreds of people commented that “he played at my wedding, my quinceañeras,  my anniversary,” and I had others tell me that Frank played at generations of family events.  One person told me that he was there for all the important family events. I heard the comment over and over again, “we all knew if Frank was the DJ there was going to be a party in the house!” Frank played at many clubs, the Mirage of Saginaw, El Farolito’s, White’s Bar, Wise Guys, Shenanigans, the popular Casa del Rey of old, and so many more around the state. He had a following that would go wherever he was playing and it always was a party.

But more than that, Frank donated his services to many nonprofits in the area, for causes that made our region better including the Lights of the City Event, Cinco De Mayo parade and fiesta, and Rock the Block. He  volunteered annually at Fiesta Tigers, a huge event at Comerica Park in Detroit. He helped out at many of the VA events and festivals throughout the community, including St. Joe’s Festival, a traditional diversity gathering for all of Saginaw, and so much more.

Longtime friend, Dana Tell, a Team One Credit Union executive, shared the meaning of his relationship with Frank.

“My Brotha! That is how we always greeted each other in person with a genuine hug, over the phone, or via text because that is what he was to me. No matter what community or social event was being planned or the group doing so, Frank’s name was mentioned as a possible supporter or someone that we should include.” Tell said.

“I could always count on Frank’s willingness to support me in whatever I needed with his advice, feedback or just standing with me as a strong and proud Marine. For decades Frank’s efforts to increase the awareness, acceptance, and advancement of Hispanic Americans and their culture have been recognized and admired across our nation and beyond. Frank used his distinctive voice and microphone to connect with people in ways that are immeasurable and will continue to resonate for generations to come.”

As Frank’s musical universe grew, he co-founded with Louie Garcia, President, the MidWest Tejano Music Radio, a digital radio station with a popular website. Frank became executive vice president. With the growth of the Internet the business became the leading Tejano station in the region, originating in Saginaw, Michigan. He also co-chaired the annual MidWest Tejano Music fest held at the Dow Event Center-Jolt Pavilion, attracting thousands of paying patrons from all over the state of Michigan for the biggest event of the summer.

Frank and the team at MidWestTejanoRadio.com station worked as a non-profit Hispanic/Latino music station that broadcast nationwide Tejano, conjunto and traditional Mexican music. Tejano music grew in listenership thanks to the on-air DJs and the support of their families. The station’s mission is to assure that our young Latinos can continue to listen to and value the music of their heritage.

Frank was one of the founders and board member of the Great Lakes Bay Hispanic Leadership Institute since 2009. He contributed many hours volunteering and mentoring student ambassadors. In addition, he always handled lighting, entertainment, and visuals for every major event including the annual GLBHLI graduation attended by 400 to 500 guests each year.

Roxanne Chantaca of Roxanne y Los Compadres Mariachi group, shared that when she and her father started singing in Saginaw years ago, Frank’s guidance and advice took the group to the next level. Through his connection and his own bookings, they began to get the group more gigs. He became their manager, agent, videographer and more. He was always so busy, but he still dedicated his technical expertise to add that special touch to the group’s performances. Over the years Roxanne and Los Compadres have performed at numerous festivals all over Michigan, colleges, universities, weddings and quinceañeras.

“He had so many connections that we had gigs every week,” she said. “Frank’s knowledge of music was impeccable. He could play any genre of music and please any crowd in from of him. I learned how to network and mingle from Frank.” 

Roxanne y Los Compadres stopped performing together about a year ago. Frank and Roxanne had talked about some recording projects this summer. “Ironic how things happen…performing without Frank ‘Sonny’ behind the scenes will never be the same,” a somber Roxanne said.

Another major contribution Frank Medel Jr. made was in bringing the Latino Loons to the Great Lakes Bay Region. Frank was one of three primary founders of the Dow Diamonds Latino Loons from 2012 to 2021 and in 2022 was part of the group, with Louie Garcia and Monica B. Reyes, that worked with the Loons staff to name and bring the COPA League to the Great Lakes Bay Region. The name for the team selected was Los Pepinillos Picantes del Norte (The Hot Little Pickles from the North), which celebrated the rich history of Mexican and Mexican American migrant farm workers in the Great Lakes Bay Region’s agricultural community. Los Pepinillos Picantes del Norte pays homage to their presence and contributions as laborers cultivating one of the region’s signature crops – “el pepino” – the pickle.

Frank’s family on both his parents’ sides had worked in the fields, weeding and harvesting the pickle, the major crop of the region. Honoring his heritage and that of many Latinos in the region, the pickle resonated as a familiar image to the Loons team, representing the livelihood of thousands of sun-bronzed hands who harvested and processed the crop in pickle factories in Saginaw. 

“We are so saddened to learn of Frank’s passing”, said Chris Mundhenk, President and General Manager of the Great Lake Loons. “He was instrumental in launching Latino Loons nights at Dow Diamond and bringing the Loons Los Pepinillos Picantes del Norte initiative to life. We owe many thanks to Frank, his passion and endless positivity will be greatly missed,” said Mundhenk as he acknowledged the success of the Great Loons, a unique collaboration among the corporate sports sector, civic supporters and the Saginaw Latino community for new enterprise. 

Since his death, I received so many messages from his friends and people I didn’t even know, saying they loved him and he was always so wonderful to their family, and all the wonderful fun and laughs they had with him.   A lot of them shared stories of his generosity and acts of kindness. I knew he was a good guy. I knew he was kind. What I didn’t know was that he was all this to so many people and such a big community. This is such a tremendous loss for our family and now I realize it is such a big loss to the entire community. Sonny worked with me as a partner on many projects in the community and as I wrote this, my goal was to share a tribute to my nephew. What ended up happening was, everyone knew he was a great DJ and entertainer, but I was able to share that Frank was more than a DJ and always was, in so many ways.    

I have had the privilege of loving someone who epitomizes leadership, someone whose life reflects a heart of service and commitment to faith, family, friends, and certainly, enormous generosity. What a privilege it has been to be his Tía (Aunt). Thank you, Sonny, for setting an example we can all strive to emulate. Your friends and above all your family are better because of your love you showed all of us. I truly will miss our “Sonny boy”, but so grateful for him, so grateful.

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