Frank Stribling has lived a life loaded with hardship.
First, he witnessed the unthinkable while serving in Vietnam. When his wife of 25 years, Debra, died unexpectedly, his life spiraled out of control.
He lost his job, his home. He drank too much and lived on Denver’s streets.
And if that wasn’t enough, in February he was hit by a bus and, while being treated for his injuries, doctors discovered he had bone marrow cancer.
But all of those trials took a back seat Saturday when the proud war veteran, father and grandfather discovered that the birthday party he had been invited to was instead a cleverly disguised way for his friends to present him with a key to his new home.
“I can’t believe this. Oh, my God,” said Stribling, 56, before he broke down and wept while the friends and donors who contributed to his cause cheered.
“Our mission was to get Frank back home, and we’ve accomplished that,” said Sandra Murray, Stribling’s best friend, who helped organize donors – including Leaf Resolutions and Furniture Row businesses – to help buy and refurbish the red-brick Park Hill bungalow.
Murray, a documentary filmmaker, met Stribling four years ago when she was working on “E-Street,” a documentary about seven homeless men. Stribling was one of the seven men featured in the film.
“People love Frank because he’s truthful and honest,” Murray said.
Stribling, who has been living in the basement of Murray’s home, slowly entered the home that one donor described as “being in rough shape” prior to the renovation.
He stopped in the middle of the modern-decorated living room and shook his head as if trying to awaken from a dream.
“You never cease to amaze me, Colonel,” he told Murray, using the nickname he said he gave her because of her energy and determination.
“She gave me the faith to keep going,” Stribling said. “She’s my guardian angel.”
In less than a year, Murray organized a team of people who gave their time and resources to the campaign she calls “Frank’s Fight.”
And donate they did.
The two-bedroom home was outfitted with donated art; fresh coats of paint; new living, dining and bedroom furniture; appliances and linens. Patches of weeds in the front and back yards were transformed with green grass, flowers and shrubs.
Stribling was joined Saturday by the group of people that included friends, a new neighbor, landscapers, an artist, his oncologist and others who simply wanted to help out.
“We want to raise awareness of what people can do,” said landscaper Bruce Wilhelm.
Stribling seemed overwhelmed by the home and the generosity and love shown to him.
Soon, his daughter and two granddaughters, who are also homeless and living in a shelter, may get a chance to reconnect and stay with him.
Stribling is thin and weakened from the thrice-weekly chemotherapy treatments he has to undergo for multiple myeloma and kidney failure. His bone marrow cancer is terminal.
“They got me good,” Stribling said of the surprise. “I’ve come a long way. No stopping now.”
Staff writer Annette Espinoza can be reached at 303-954-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com.
