Features, Rangely

Huitt’s story of success an inspiration

RANGELY | In Rangely the name Frank Huitt can bring a lot of things to mind. The big house on the hill with more animals than Cabela’s, airplanes and helicopters, donations and community involvement are all regularly heard in association with the name. However, what many don’t know is the hard work and dedication involved in his climb to the house on the hill, and the poverty he came from.
Frank Huitt grew up outside a little town in the Ozarks of Missouri. His father was a small farmer with 160 acres of land he worked with a team of mules. Frank, his three siblings, and parents lived in a 700 square foot home without indoor plumbing or many of today’s taken-for-granted amenities.
“I grew up dirt poor,” he said. “But I learned how to work and how to do any kind of work if I wanted something.” By 1972 Huitt had joined the Army where he served in infantry and reconnaissance for four years, including time in Panama. Two years after leaving the service he was wed to his wife, Grace. That same year— 1978—Frank and Grace relocated across the country to Rangely, seeking employment in the oilfield.
Grace remembers that first winter in 1978 as similar to the current one. “It was so muddy here,” she said.
But the town was booming and within a few days Huitt had a job. As is typical with Rangely booms, housing was scarce and the newlyweds wound up in a small rundown trailer. Grace still keeps a few Polaroid photos of that first house on hand, serving as a reminder of where they started.
By the early ’90s Frank was determined to start his own company. Grace however, was a little more timid about the idea.
“It really scared me,” she said. “We were doing well. I thought, why fix it if it ain’t broken?” Officially open for business in May 1994, KR Fishing and Rental experienced slow and steady growth. For several years Frank was the only employee with Grace managing the paperwork. If he wasn’t busy enough, in 2007 Huitt and a partner formed Uinta Well Service. Shortly after, in 2008, Frank was ready to sell KR. The sale of Uinta Well followed in 2013. During his more than 40 years in the oil and gas industry Huitt estimates he saw three to four booms.
“It was like a basketball, up or down. Not a lot of plateaus,” he said. Because of his experience with the Rangely boom and bust cycle Huitt was not surprised when the oilfield crash came in 2015. However, he believes that times like these can provide an opportunity for the entrepreneurial spirits.
“Now is the time a person could really get started,” he said. “If you have the capital, or access to it, now is the best time to buy equipment.” Huitt believes that current low prices and interest rates could allow someone to invest and enjoy success when the oil and gas market returns in a couple of years.
As his business grew Huitt found an increasing desire to get involved in local organizations and politics. This interest manifested in his election to the Western Rio Blanco Recreation Board where he served ten years before being elected to the Rangely Town Council. After serving eight years on the council Huitt sat two terms as mayor, where he served until 2016. Huitt says involvement was important because he wanted to help determine the direction the town was headed in and work towards continued growth, all while supporting local business. He believes deeply in the oil and gas industry and its importance to Rangely, a belief he tried to bring to his positions. “Extraction will always be the main driver of our economy. If that goes away, Rangely won’t survive,” he said.
Since retiring Huitt has opted to spend his time further enjoying the hobbies he has had all his life. The bulk of his spare time is filled with hunting. Huitt’s home boasts two trophy rooms filled with every type of creature. A veritable museum, the exquisitely prepared rooms document his hunting exploits around the world. Huitt, who has hunted every continent except Antarctica, delights in opening up his trophies for others to come enjoy. “I especially like showing it to young kids. Teachers or anyone with a group of kids are always welcome to bring their classes,” he said.
In the first months of 2017 Huitt has plans to hunt in Mexico, Argentina, Cameroon and Congo. When he’s not globe trotting for additions to his trophy room Huitt finds time to fly. Having both his airplane and helicopter pilot’s licenses as well as his own plane, Huitt enjoys getting behind the controls and above it all. His wife Grace remembers the time he landed his helicopter in their driveway, stirring up a ruckus, only to climb out of the pilot’s seat, pull out a hose and give the helicopter a good wash.
“The neighbors were taking pictures,” she said with a hint of a smile at her husband. After 39 years of marriage it’s clear how much the couple means to each other. “I’m proud of everything he’s accomplished,” Grace said. While Frank quickly adds, “It was we.”
The couple is happy to have retired in Rangely where they are close to family. Their son Ryan and his wife Dana also live in Rangely with their young son Easton, who Grace happily babysits regularly. Ryan owns Wildlife Expressions Taxidermy in Rangely. Christopher, the Huitt’s eldest son, also lives nearby in Fruita with his wife and three-year-old son Mason.
Huitt plans to remain involved in the community and says he’s even looking forward to getting back to town council meetings and seeing what they’ve been up to since his term as mayor ended.

Comments are closed.

Come say hi!

@ht.1885
  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
12 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
13 hours ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
18 hours ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

Thank you, advertisers!