Frank W. Fulkerson

Frank “Sonny” Fulkerson, 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday September 25, 2021 with his family at his side at Hospice of NW Ohio in Perrysburg. Born March 24, 1930 to Frank and Viola (Parker) Fulkerson, he was a Fourth generation watch and clock maker. He learned the trade from his beloved Grandfather Thomas (Papa) Parker. His first job as a teenager was working for the Wm. S McCaw Company in downtown Toledo stocking and delivering watch parts and jewelry supplies to the many jewelry stores and shops in the area. There he became acquainted with and made friends with the other watchmakers and jewelers in the Toledo area. This would serve him well as he later did watch and clock repair for the other jewelers in NW Ohio. Frank served his country in the US Air Force as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War. After the war he worked for a company servicing time clocks for factories and businesses throughout Northern Ohio, as well as doing work for other jewelers. In 1954 he started “The Clock Shop” in the old west end of Toledo on Delaware near Collingwood. Later, in 1961, he moved the business to its present location on Monroe St. and Douglas. In the 1980’s with the help of his sons he expanded the business into jewelry becoming “Fulkerson Jewelry and Clock Shop”. Frank was a founding member of the Toledo chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. He had a vast knowledge about antique clocks and watches. Both his Great Grandfather and Grandfather had worked for the Dueber Hampton pocket watch company in Canton, Ohio during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Frank had a very mechanical and engineering mind. He also started a side business with his late son, Tim, making medical devices for radiation therapy. Frank loved swimming, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and wind surfing. An avid swimmer, when he was 80 years old he could still swim over 60 laps in the YMCA pool without stopping. He was a member of the Toledo Sailing Club and The Jolly Roger Sailing Club for many years when he raced sailboats and won many races and regattas with his wife, Susie, as his crew. One of his passions was restoring antique wooden boats. The first one was for his father-in –law, Carl Pritts, so he could go fishing on Lake Erie in his retirement. Frank and Susie spent many summers out at Put-In-Bay on their sailboat with their children and grandchildren. They also enjoyed their annual winter vacation with family and friends in Florida. Anywhere a member of our family goes in northwest Ohio, the first thing people ask when they hear our last name is..”Are you related to the clock man?”. Frank left quite a legacy and our hearts are broken. Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Viola Fulkerson and a son Timothy Fulkerson. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Susie (Pritts) Fulkerson, children Sally (Ken) Harris, Penny (Jim) Klawitter, Tom (Brenda) Fulkerson, Julie (Rick) Wasserman and Franz (Anne) Fulkerson. He also leaves behind 11 Grandchildren, 8 Great Grandchildren with 1 more on the way. Services for Mr Fulkerson will be held privately for the family. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Frank’s memory are asked to consider contributions to Hospice of NW Ohio.