Frank Boggs

Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.”

--Benediction, Lutkin -- Numbers 6:24-26

The finale has concluded in benedictory glory. For the final time he has turned to the singers and signaled his love, affection and pride with a broad smile and his fingers-to-lips kiss. For the final time, he has laid down his baton and turned to the audience to signal credit to the Lord with a salute and a heavenward glance. For the final time he has acknowledged the accompanists, and then the singers, with a sweeping hand motion and invitation to bow. And we, the beneficiaries of the beautiful music, applaud one final time. He has left this life of worship, a life that has prepared him well for the primary role in Heaven: bringing glory and worship to God.

Franklin Ivy Boggs went peacefully Home on March 23, 2021, at age 94, while in the loving care of his family, longtime caregivers, and hospice staff at Boggs’ home in Atlanta, Georgia. A devoted minister of the Gospel of Christ through music and a gifted teacher, leader, and encourager, Frank leaves behind his loving wife of 64 years, Doris Lyon Boggs; his daughter Catherine Boggs Hoecke (Columbia, SC) and husband Wilfried; his daughter Elizabeth’s husband James Garvin (Canton, GA); and four grandchildren, for whose faith he often thanked God, Joshua Garvin, and Karl, Franklin, and Anna Hoecke. He also leaves behind an “adopted son” Luiz Abreu Pinto of Brazil. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, F. Ivy and Olive Chaffee Boggs of Dallas, Texas, by three baby siblings, and by his daughter Elizabeth Boggs Garvin (d. Aug 2019).

Frank’s life’s work was serving God’s kingdom through music, touching thousands of people across the globe. He lived a very public life without making his fame the focus of his life. While recording internationally and singing globally, Frank still lived consistently and authentically, personally reaching others for Christ at home and around the world. The Boggs home was a place where guests were encouraged and loved well, especially international and student guests. Up to the last months of his life, Frank’s bass voice continued to bless listeners, whether from the platform of an audience-filled sanctuary, or while at the piano in his Atlanta home with only God and family listening. He was an avid reader, active correspondent with hand-written notes, quick-witted humorist, joyful encourager, generous mentor and coach of young talent and possibility, gifted teacher, collaborative minister of music in churches, fearless group-travel planner, inspiring speaker, gracious host, committed Anglophile, discerning cinema and theater buff, tireless prayer warrior, attentive friend, loving father and grandfather, and devoted husband.

The Celebration of Frank Boggs’ Life will include the following:

-Two services of remembrance, open to those wishing to come:

--Memorial Service, Dallas, TX

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Memorial Chapel, Restland Cemetery

13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75243

To view the link to video of Memorial service, please place the web address in your browser and hit "skip" button to view video: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/51834

To view the short Burial service, please go to this link: https://vimeo.com/538068806/b0b9a069c8

-- A Service Celebrating the Life of Frank Boggs

with visitation following

Saturday, May 8, 2021

1 pm

Johnson Ferry Baptist Church,

955 Johnson Ferry Rd, Marietta, GA 30068

Livestream begins May 8, 12:45 pm at this link: https://youtu.be/60OdJ-QfDjk (and link to recording of it will be put here after day of service).

Former members of any of Frank’s choirs anywhere are invited to sing 2 pieces. Go to this link for simple instructions and to sign up: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FCyvc4K2goPdluOQnN0mgVR1-oJDqdab/view?usp=sharing

-In lieu of flowers,

1. Frank requested he be remembered by contributions to Frank Boggs Scholarship

for Christian college students at Univ. of Mary Hardin Baylor, which he and his family have supported since 1930’s. To contribute online: umhb.edu/giving, click “give”, “contribute”, select Frank Boggs Scholarship. Or mail contribution, marked “Frank Boggs”, to:

Advancement, UMHB Box 8409, 900 College Street, Belton, TX 26513

2. Frank’s family established the Frank Boggs Legacy Fund

for Sacred and Gospel Music, to ensure that The Georgia Festival Chorus moves forward in the mission for which Frank Boggs established it: to share the gospel of Christ through sacred and gospel music. To contribute online: click www.tgafc.org and select the DONATE button next to Frank’s photo. Or mail contribution, payable to GFC and marked “Frank Boggs” in memo line, to:

The Georgia Festival Chorus, P.O. Box 965325, Marietta, GA, 30066.

-A slideshow of memories prepared by family is available at this link: https://youtu.be/XTLrDhrUqg0

Realizing Covid restrictions have isolated some, Frank’s family has written a more extensive history of our great God’s faithfulness in the life of our husband, father and Papa Frank Boggs. You may find it below. Our hope is that you pour yourself a tall glass of Dr. Pepper (Frank’s beverage of choice) or lemonade, sit down in your favorite chair and reflect on what God can do through music and a heart which is totally His.

“. . . seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

FRANK BOGGS: A Brief History

“Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land;

I am weak but Thou art mighty, Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand…”

-- Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, lyrics William Pantycelyn

Frank Boggs was born in Dallas, Texas, February 3, 1927, into a multigenerational farming family who had traveled in covered wagons from North Carolina to Sherman, Texas, in the late 1800s. His parents lived near the former Cotton Bowl. His father, insurance and investment counselor, and his mother, community leader and longstanding Board member at University of Mary Hardin Baylor, were Sunday School teachers in the First Baptist Church of Dallas. His parents’ first and only surviving child, Frank was captivated by the music of the First Dallas Church Choir rehearsals that he attended, often lulled to sleep by the sounds of choral singing. These experiences began to shape his lifelong love of choral music.

“I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free.

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me…”

-- His Eye is On the Sparrow, lyrics Civilla Martin

Frank’s love of music grew with early piano lessons where he learned to play many musical genres, including the Baptist hymns of his faith. Not to be rivaled, a Methodist neighbor offered to pay him 5 cents for each piece he learned from her Methodist hymnbook. Determined for his horizons to be broadened, his mother Olive Boggs saved every penny possible to take him to an opera or symphony concert. His mother remained a driving force in his pursuit of the arts. The children's graded choir program at First Baptist Dallas offered his first opportunity to sing solo, and then provided a scholarship to begin vocal lessons. While his voice and piano skills evolved, so did his musical leadership. Frank became the North Dallas High School Band drum major, and he along with his buddies composed, directed, and performed original musicals as high school students. In his senior year, Frank and his friends “were allowed to run practically every event at the school.”

As a high school student, Frank’s mother took him to hear the young preacher W. A. Criswell at a youth camp. Frank was challenged by Criswell’s call for him and other young people, who had previously accepted Christ as Lord, to use the talents that God gave them to reach others for Christ. Afterwards, Frank asked Criswell how he might best do this. Criswell suggested he attend a Christian college and look at life as ministry.

“As the deer panteth for the water so my soul longeth after Thee.

You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship You…”

-- As The Deer, lyrics Martin Nystrom

From his father, Frank learned the value of being a trusted worker. He learned to save money: selling eggs from his maternal grandparents’ farm at the age of 8, working at their farm every Saturday morning as a teen, and washing the dog and his father’s car each week. When hired by Mr. Marcus of Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Frank remembered feeling honored Mr. Marcus entrusted him to learn to work in every department, to carry the money pouch to the bank, and to be in charge of a score of loaned evening gowns for his big show as a Senior in High School. Frank’s family taught him the value of building relationships. He spent the afternoon on horseback playing cowboy after his Saturday morning farm work. Sundays after church included Sunday dinner in Sherman at his paternal grandmother’s home with his Peveto cousins.

Family was important to the Boggs. More than any possessions, they valued their time spent together in God’s house and experiencing the beauty of God’s world. Moreover, each summer Frank and his parents traveled to a fishing cabin in Colorado to enjoy a few weeks in the cooler outdoors of the Rocky Mountains. This began in Frank a lifelong love of the mountains, Rocky and Blue Ridge especially.

“I love to tell the story of unseen things above.

Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love…”

-- I Love to Tell the Story, lyrics Kathryn Hankey

Despite the deep desire to serve his country in WWII following his 1944 high school graduation, Frank was disqualified from military service because of a heart murmur. With renewed passion, he enrolled at Baylor University in Waco, Texas (1944-48). These were transformational years in which God forever changed his life’s trajectory. Studying journalism, English, and vocal performance, he worked as both a florist delivery man and a Jewish synagogue cantor. Providentially, Ray Hoshesaki, a fellow student with a passion for Christ, invited Frank to a weekly, late-night prayer meeting on Friday nights. This group prayed for the Lord to bring revival in the hearts of those at Baylor, in Waco, in Texas, and beyond.

This prayer meeting began a wave of summer Youth Revival Meetings beginning in 1946 (coinciding with Youth for Christ movement in the Western and Northern US). Each summer for several years, Frank traveled to bring Youth Revival services to numerous churches and cities across the South. He and his prayer meeting friends, such as Charles Welborn, Howard E. Butt, Jess Moody, Buckner Fanning, Jackie Robinson, and Dick Baker, shared the Gospel of Christ through message and song. Thousands of people made professions of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Hundreds more committed their lives to ministry through this movement which continued many more years thereafter.

“Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee…

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King…”

-- Take My Life and Let it Be, lyrics Frances Havergal

With his renewed focus of sharing the gospel, Frank let go his vision for a career in journalism, and also left behind an invitation to become an operatic baritone-bass, releasing both paths instead to obey God’s call into vocal and choral music ministry. After graduation from Baylor in 1948, Frank continued studying sacred music ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, graduating in 1951. Little did Frank realize just how graciously the Lord would honor his obedience and commitment.

In 1951, at the invitation of Jarrell McCracken, Frank became the first solo recording artist for the new Christian record label--WORD Records of Waco, Texas. His first recording was the single Yes, God is Real. He had first heard it while he was still a seminary student, in a black church which he liked to frequent. He left longing to learn it. While singing at a church in Paducah, Kentucky, a custodian there helped him learn it at the piano. He would say that spirituals have always spoken to the heart in the most beautiful, elegant, and straightforward way. Spirituals became a core element of his and his choir’s repertoire from that point forward.

“Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God!

All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.”

-- When I Survey, lyrics Isaac Watts

In the ensuing years, Frank forged a strong relationship with McCracken, and other WORD arrangers and conductors, including Kurt Kaiser and Paul Mickelson. Because of his reputation earned through the Youth Revival meetings and his WORD recordings, Frank began to receive more and more invitations to concertize, from churches, universities, and ministries around the United States and abroad. In ~1952, Frank was invited by British evangelist Tom Rees, founder of Hildenborough Evangelistic Conference Center, to partner with him as soloist and music leader for the Hildenborough Singers in their revival services. While based in Great Britain, Frank continued studying vocal singing with the voice coach Roy Henderson. Soon, Sunday evenings each week, Frank was featured on a program of sacred music on BBC Radio. Before long, BBC asked him to do several television programs creatively designed for him.

As a result of the BBC program, Frank was invited to sing at the Service of Prayer and Dedication for Queen Elizabeth on the eve of her coronation. He sang her favorite hymn Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee to a British hymn tune. This extraordinary experience -- as the only American on the platform at this special service -- further endeared Frank to the British. Great Britain, and London in particular, became a “second home” in Frank’s mind and heart throughout his life. It brought him much joy to introduce many other friends and colleagues to its special treasures and delights.

Traveling across the Atlantic by ship, Frank’s mother Olive was invited to witness his solo on the Eve of the coronation. Even as a child, his mother had encouraged him to strive for excellence, even in table etiquette, saying: “You never know when you will need to know this. You may be invited to sing for a President or royalty.” In fact, later in his life, Frank would laugh over this. Little did she know that he would sing not just for Queen Elizabeth but for Presidents, Governors and even the Prince Consort of Denmark, a friend from his London days.

“He leadeth me: O blessed thought! O words with heavenly comfort fraught!

Whate’er I do, where're I be, still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me…”

-- He Leadeth Me, lyrics Joseph Gilmore

As God provided more and more opportunities, Frank was singing in many locations and even collaborated with his own father, Ivy Boggs, in a new ministry endeavor: Texas Baptist Men and Boys. The Men and Boys movement was a lay-led move of God in Texas to encourage men and boys to commit to participating with the Body of Christ. A layman himself, Ivy Boggs led services challenging men and boys to come to Christ and follow Him in a local church. Frank shared the platform with his dad. Frank sang and Ivy preached.

In the midst of consistent singing ministry opportunities, Frank continued his learning. He pursued graduate study in Music Education at Columbia University Teaching College in ~1954. While living in New York City, he gained a new life habit/love for reading the best of New York City publications, in particular the arts and sports reporting. His family remembers the many NY paper and magazine subscriptions which he read; only at age 70 did he streamline this habit to The Wall Street Journal and Opera News. NYC became a city dear to his heart. The Chorus and Ensemble members who traveled there with him can confirm this devotion. During this same time (1954-55), he directed music and taught English and music appreciation at Stoneybrook School in Long Island, NY. While living in NYC, Frank made many lifelong friends in the ministry world, the opera world, and the theater world. He sang in churches and ministry meetings on many weekends in nearby states.

After completing his Master of Arts at Columbia, Frank continued to obey God’s call, and accepted an invitation from Dr. Harold Sanders at First Baptist Church Tallahassee, Florida, becoming Minister of Music in ~1955. Amid his exploding college choral and other choir programs, Frank fondly remembered the vibrant, in-home ministry to students at Florida State University, where he continued PhD work (completed all but the dissertation). These students included lifelong friends like John Condra and Judy McMillan, who have ultimately made their homes in Atlanta.

“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear!

It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds, and drives away our fear…”

-- How Sweet the Name of Jesus, lyrics John Newton

During Frank’s early days in Tallahassee, Frank’s father Ivy found he had an untreatable tumor. While lying in a Dallas hospital, Ivy paid transport for and Olive hosted every nonbeliever Ivy knew to come to his bedside so he could make one more appeal for them to accept Christ. In September 1956, Frank’s father died.

“There is a balm in Gilead that makes the wounded whole,

There is a balm in Gilead which heals the sin-sick soul”

-- There is a Balm in Gilead, Unknown, Traditional Spiritual, 19th century

Just a few months before Ivy’s death, at a Baptist Student Union event in Florida, Frank providentially met the lovely Michigan gal and recent Stetson grad Doris Lyon. Frank wrote her letters for many months, then proposed to her, and married her in November 1957. Their firstborn Elizabeth Jean was born on Valentine’s Day 1959.

Two paths of ministry opportunity then diverged before Frank: sing for the Lord in full-time solo ministry, or continue as minister of music. Following an invitation by then-pastor Roy McClain of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, and much prayer, Frank moved his family to Atlanta, Georgia, the home of a new international airport. Atlanta was a terrific base for his US and international singing ministry. Rev. McClain invited the family to call FBC Atlanta home and invited Frank to offer solos during any FBC service when he was in Atlanta.

“Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold;

Take my intellect, and use Every power as Thou shall choose…”

-- Take My Life and Let it Be, lyrics Frances Havergal

This arrangement worked well for the Boggs family and for Frank’s ministry. From Atlanta, he could fly anywhere to sing. God provided for the family through his ministry, and recording contracts with WORD continued. Catherine Anne, their second daughter, was born in December 1961. At a time when many Christian music artists and directors were charging fees for concerts or other engagements, Frank committed to trusting God. At his concerts, Frank requested each host church to cover only travel, room, and board, and to receive a “love offering” instead of fixed compensation. A love offering is a passing of the plate, inviting listeners to give towards his vocal ministry as led by the Lord. During his time in Youth Revival and Hildenborough ministry, God had provided for Frank, and Frank believed God would be faithful to continue, even now with a family to support. At every invitation, Frank and his family had the opportunity to see God provide and He did. Frank’s girls learned to trust God from this example.

In 1969 Frank committed to traveling less to spend more time at home with his family. He accepted the invitation from Dr. William Pressly to join the faculty of The Westminster Schools, a Christian preparatory school in Atlanta. He would direct its High School Choral program and, eventually, Performing Arts Department. Dr. Pressly arranged for Frank to teach four days each week, giving him flexibility to travel and sing for the Lord on some weekends. This schedule was a blessing for Frank, the family, and Westminster. Frank saw his time at the Westminster School as God’s ministry through him to the students, and through the students to the world. In their two-plus decades there, the Boggs family hosted many students. Frank witnessed God’s work in the lives of hundreds of students.

Under his leadership, the Westminster Choral program blossomed. On a campus with ~800 high school students, approximately two hundred sang with the Westminster Chorales each year. They sang in major concerts during fall and spring, and for many special events, including those for President Gerald Ford and several Georgia governors. Frank began a select group called the Westminster Ensemble, composed of 16-20 members, with an annual audition requirement. An extracurricular commitment, the Westminster Ensemble came to be in high demand in the Atlanta area. The Ensemble and Chorales performed classical, Broadway,jazz, sacred, international, traditional and nontraditional music, with preference to sacred pieces. The Ensemble traveled each spring break and performed in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Poland, Russia (while the USSR), many countries of Europe, Mexico, California, and New York City. These were arranged through the many relationships Frank had forged with people around the globe.

“What do you hold in your hand today, to what or to whom are you bound?

Are you willing to give it to God right now? Give it up, let it go, throw it down.”

-- Moses, lyrics Ken Medema

Within his groups, Frank masterfully created a sense of community (yearly Bible verse,“Mystery melody”, “singing me an A”, Quaker questions, “Afterglow”, “Ensemble and Chorale parents”) with his winsome direction, dry Texas humor, and compelling stories of God’s work and the power of music. Frank helped design an extended performing arts program at Westminster (instrumental, drama, etc.), complete with a new performing arts building. In Spring 1992, Frank retired after ~23 years of successful work with students at Westminster. He always missed this work, but God had new plans.

Beautifully, the forged relationships with Westminster Choral alumni were never cut short. Over the ensuing years, Frank has enjoyed visits from many former Westminster Choral students, former fellow faculty, and their families. Many remained in close contact over many years.

“You’re my friend and you are my brother, Even though You are a King.

I love you more than any other, so much more than anything…”

-- As the Deer, lyrics Martin Nystrom

In the years moving up to Westminster years, the Boggs were called to Northside Baptist Church, where their longtime friends, Rev. John and Betty Jean Howell (of Tallahassee days) came to minister. Both Frank’s daughters accepted Christ as Savior from the influence of Doris’ Child Evangelism Fellowship program there. After the Howells were called to another church, Frank and family attended Roswell Street Baptist Church, Marietta, where, in the late 70’s, Frank filled an Interim Minister of Music position following dear friend Ragan Vandergriff’s move to a Florida ministry. Frank led the 200-voice youth choir on a singing mission trip to Colorado, a trip with legendary memories to this day. It was at RSBC that the Boggs found “family” in the gracious hospitality of Ed and Lillian Greer and Neill and Polly Graham. With no relatives closeby, the Boggs spent every holiday with the Greers and Grahams.

In the late 1980s Frank and Doris returned to First Baptist Atlanta where Frank became the soloist for In Touch Ministries, and the family grew spiritually under the teaching of Dr. Charles Stanley. The family forged many lifelong relationships there. Later, seeking a church in closer proximity to their Smyrna home, the Boggs joined Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. Here Frank met his longtime accompanist and friend, David Carnes, and both Boggs’ daughters were married in the sanctuary in 1990 and 1991.

Many churches in Atlanta asked Frank to help them in their worship ministries, including Second Ponce Baptist, Church of the Apostles, Christ Church Anglican, and a few others.

“Lead on, O King eternal; we follow, not with fears,

for gladness breaks like morning where'er thy face appears;

thy cross is lifted o’er us; we journey in its light;

the crown awaits the conquest; lead on, O God of might.”

-- Lead On O King Eternal, lyrics Ernest Shurtleff

In 1987, at the urging of Pastor Lewis Abbott in Marietta, Frank founded an adult sacred and classical group which would become known as the Georgia Festival Chorus. This was and is a ministry of volunteer singers. Again, Frank built this chorus from just a few members to the 100-voice Chorus it became. This work remained his primary ministry in his years of retirement. The Chorus performs more than a dozen times each year, structured around a spring season and a fall season. Their signature Carols by Candlelight Concert at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church each Thursday after Thanksgiving has become a Chorus and audience favorite. As a non-profit, the Chorus raised money for recordings and for music and other needs. Frank began to mentor selected choral conductors who shared the baton in each concert’s repertoire. The Chorus benefitted from years of relationships that Frank had built around the world, singing multiple concerts in the United Kingdom, Italy, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Texas, Alaska, and more. With musical touring every two years, Frank once again engendered a sense of family that is still alive in the GFC. His family was part of the GFC family.

Frank was committed to making his community a stronger and more civil place, focusing on how to unite with one another rather than to divide. Recognizing the power of music to accomplish that goal, he sought to establish communal singing in unexpected places. As a longtime member of the Downtown Atlanta Rotary Club, Frank initiated the tradition of starting every meeting with the group of 400 business leaders standing to sing The Star Spangled Banner, and closing the meeting with the group singing God Bless America. He created and chaired the club’s Music Committee, providing musical guests ranging from world-renowned opera singers to teenage violinists, to have an audience with the top business and community leaders in Atlanta.

In his grandparent years, Frank enjoyed each of his four grandchildren and always prayed thanking God that they had chosen to follow Christ. He felt very blessed by their commitment and their active faith.

“Take my love; my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure-store.

Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.”

-- Take My Life and Let it Be, lyrics Frances Havergal

.

After his near-death accident on I-75 near their home, Frank and Doris sought a retirement home. They selected Atlanta’s Lenbrook Retirement Community in 2011. Many of Doris and Frank’s friends lived there. The grandchildren enjoyed years of Christmases and events at Lenbrook, while getting to know Mimi and Papa’s neighbors. Frank served Lenbrook and the Atlanta community through the Lenbrook Friends of the Arts series, introducing the residents there to many of the southeast’s finest singers and musicians. The programs Frank created and hosted provided much delight over the years, as well as opportunities to support artists. The Georgia Festival Chorus performed/s there every Christmas.

As the newly appointed Georgia Festival Chorus Director Emeritus in 2019, Frank held his baton for the last time, and sang his last public solo, the Spiritual Sweet, Little Jesus Boy. His voice seemed 20 years younger. As Frank’s health declined more rapidly, he was undeterred. Frank continued to speak often of starting a new multigenerational Chorus. He was always planning for the next year’s venture, the next year’s theme, and the next year’s repertoire. His family believes he probably has already started a new venture.

“I’ll tell the world that He is coming. It may be near or far away

But we must live as if His coming Could be tomorrow or today.”

--I’ll Tell the World That I’m a Christian, Baynard L. Fox

Frank inspired a love of important elements from his own life in the lives of his family: Sunday afternoon open-car-window drives in the beautiful neighborhoods of Atlanta; horseback rides for hours in Colorado; summer weeks in Colorado at Deer Valley Ranch or Trail West Berry Patch; the apartments of 31 Green Street London; the countryside of Kent; summer vacation car trips with concert stops; in-the-car sing-a-longs to John Denver and Peter, Paul and Mary in the orange Volvo; the mountains and horses of North Carolina; the theaters of London Theater district, Broadway, and Stratford upon Avon (CAN and UK); the Chapels and grounds of Cambridge and Oxford; the Gospel and music of All Souls Langham Place; well-written mysteries of current and former bestselling authors (Conan Doyle being the plumb line).

Frank spoke admirably of many of his fellow teachers and friends. His family always loved to hear of his concerts or experiences singing for some of the great communicators, many who were his personal friends. Frank stayed in touch through handwritten letters and cards that could not be matched in their encouraging and loving words. Each week he sent 6-10 letters, always keeping his friends close. Each host got a thank you note; each speaker or director or soloist an encouraging note.

“And when my task on earth is done, when, by thy grace, the victory’s won,

e’en death’s cold wave I will not flee, since God through Jordan leadeth me.”

-- He Leadeth Me, lyrics Joseph Gilmore

Frank taught through example. These are the lessons he passed on to his family, and now shared with you:

He taught us brevity is a preferred plan, leaving your audience wanting more.

He taught that experiences are eternal,

and relationships satisfy more than material possessions.

He taught that a bowl of soup at a fabulous restaurant is

more desirable than a four course meal at a so-so place.

He showed us that a smile and polite request

can get you into a lot of cool places.

He taught us to dream big, prepare well and

be amazed as God opens doors of opportunity.

He taught us that beautiful art brings peace.

He taught us how to feel as we crafted and walked in our giftings.

He taught us that jealous and grumpy people just need God’s love.

He taught that famous people are just people;

people who need someone to listen to them and care for them.

He taught us to reach past our perceptions of our own ability.

He taught us not to try to improve on or change a thing that is already beautiful,

just appreciate it as is.

He taught us to love music of all kinds (except maybe rap and heavy metal).

He taught us a well-rounded life, full of variance

in education, knowledge and experience, is a better life.

He taught us to listen with interest in other’s lives and

ask probing questions (Quaker Questions).

He taught us brevity is a preferred plan, leaving your audience wanting more.

He taught us to lead with humility.

He taught us it’s vital to make a good first impression; however,

at the same time, it’s vital not to judge a person on first appearance. Instead,

ask God to help us see the person as God does.

He taught us to take the first invitation offered

and not renege if a more desirable offer comes.

He taught us to beware of braggers,

to assume bigger is not always better and

to look for the awe-inspiring just around the corner.

He lived and taught that serendipitous experiences can be part of

everyday life, if you are expecting them.

He taught us that the one who we think will amount to nothing can often become

confident if we treat them with respect and give him a chance and opportunity.

He taught us that communicating through singing is

less about musical precision and more about the heart.

He taught that, while we perform, our face and eyes reflect our hearts and

should reflect the message we came to bring.

He taught us God’s love is better than a pleasure-driven life.

He taught us that music “rests” are as important as each sung note.

He taught us to see the long arch of the line of a song.

He taught us to sing with phrasing that fits the poetry of the words.

He taught us that, when we heard rumor about someone,

never to spread it. Instead, go to that someone and verify.

We may get a chance to help redeem someone’s reputation.

He taught us that life is short; so take advantage of every minute you have.

He taught us that we should rise early.

He taught us that, if, in spite of preparation, plans end in disappointment or ruin,

we should never complain--the most common and easy way out. Instead,

we should be grateful and believe God for a way out.

Last and most importantly,

he taught us that a life lived for God is not a life of boring duty,

but the most exciting adventure imaginable.

“. . . Are you drifting along caught up in a tide that’s drifting you out to sea?

God wants you to live above this world that you find so confusing.

He never meant for a man to crawl in the mud or to grope about aimlessly.

God has a plan for you that’s higher than your highest dream.

. . . He wants you to mount up with wings as eagles and soar above the stormy sea.

To live above this sinful world and know His company.

He wants you to fly!” (Isaiah 40:31)

--He Wants You to Fly, Jimmy Owens -- Isaiah 40:31

--A Celebration of Life Service, Atlanta, GA,

Saturday, May 8, 2021

1 pm Choral Remembrance by his GFC,

1:30 pm Celebration of Life Service with visitation following.

Johnson Ferry Baptist Church,

955 Johnson Ferry Rd, Marietta, GA 30068.

Livestream begins May 8, 12:45 pm at this link: https://youtube.com/channel/UCU64AQTMtd874PWiDV7J3Ag (and link to recording of it will be put here after day of service).

Former members of any of Frank’s choirs anywhere are invited to sing (please return to this page by April 18 for link of explanation).