A prominent Tri-Cities farmer, businessman and landowner who never seemed to slow down, even when faced with great challenges, died on Feb. 8.

Frank S. Tiegs was 66.

A celebration of life is set for 3 p.m. March 29 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

Tiegs was born into farming, spending hours with his brother Gregg “playing farm” in the family’s yard, his obituary said. As he grew older, he took on real farm duties, including running crew during harvest. He was so dedicated as a teen that he’d skip out on family fishing trips to ensure that harvest was taken care of, his obituary said.

Tiegs did find passions outside of agriculture, namely muscle cars. His first was a 1968 GTX that he raced at the Firebird Raceway in his native Idaho.

He didn’t stop there, and cars became a lifelong passion.

Another great passion was his family.

Tiegs met Janet Wyland in 1979 and they married in December of that year.

By then, he’d moved to Pasco and started his farming career with a few pieces of equipment and his signature determination, his obituary said.

He and Janet raised four children “with beliefs of hard work, honesty, generosity and keeping your word,” his obituary said. He was proud to have put his children through college – all four graduated from Washington State University.

Tiegs’ business ventures were vast. He owned companies such as Oregon Potato Company, among others. He also was a major West Richland landowner.

“Frank’s mind was a steel trap and his ability to envision products and ways to achieve it and sell it were truly amazing. As his goals grew bigger and (he) accumulated more businesses, he befriended many of his customers, partners and associates. He always enjoyed spending time learning as much as he could,” his obituary said.

Tiegs was in a car accident in 2014 that left him paralyzed.

“Many people thought Frank would slow down after this accident, but he was never one to be told he couldn’t do something. Through all of this, he continued to build his potato, vegetable and fruit businesses and farming empire. He also took time to enjoy hobbies that included traveling to watch drag races, annual trips to Barrett-Jackson Auctions in Scottsdale, and always partaking in boat race weekend festivities, or any party that included family or close friends,” his obituary said.

He especially loved time with his grandchildren.

“Nothing made him happier than a loud house full of ‘grandbabies’ running around, watching them jumping in the pool and asking him to watch a new trick. Their lives were enriched by his hugs, thrills of beeping his wheelchair horn and family holidays spent together,” his obituary said.

Life Tributes Cremation Center of Kennewick is handling arrangements.