Frank Ross Sloan

Frank Ross Sloan, of Austin, Texas, passed away on Tuesday morning, March 8, 2022, at the age of 97. Frank was born in Grand Saline, Texas, to Father, Albert R. Sloan, and Mother, Mary E. Trout. After losing both parents at an early age, he grew up on his Granny’s farm, along with his Aunt Edith and Uncle Harvey. He was close to his older sister Mary (Pete) and brother Bill. Frank enlisted in the Army Air Corp during WWII, and was stationed in Juneau, Alaska and trained as a flight radio operator on the B24 bomber. After the Army, he moved to Dallas and worked as an engineer at WRR radio station. It was in Dallas, where he met his beautiful wife, Joyce, at a Valentine’s Day dance hosted by the YWCA. They married six months later and shared a lasting love.

Frank later worked in film production where he produced several training films on the operation of the F-111 fighter jet. He moved on to establish his own business, Sloan Film Productions, where he produced TV commercials and once worked with quarterback Joe Namath. He went on to earn his teaching certificate and taught cinematography at Skyline High School for over ten years. Once retired, he worked part-time at Mesquite Metro airport, where he fueled airplanes and achieved a lifelong dream to obtain his pilot’s license and purchase his own airplane, a Cessna 150. Once Joyce retired, they moved to the hill country, where he enjoyed travel, and volunteer work for Meals on Wheels, and gave tours at the Nightingale Archeological Center in Kingsland, on the banks of Lake LBJ. He was a member of the Texas Archeological Society and participated in archeological digs and classification of artifacts at the Native American Gault site and for the University of Texas archeological department. Frank had many interests and enjoyed several hobbies over the years: sailing, duck hunting, bird watching, camping, reading, painting, poetry and telling jokes. He was crazy about hats and had a vast hat collection. One of his last purchases, was a 100% wool felt top hat.

Frank loved his family, and they loved him. Every year they enjoyed vacations together on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico, whether it be at a beach house in Surfside or overlooking the channel in Port Aransas, where he especially loved to fish and watch the ships come and go. To know Frank, was to like Frank, he was funny, quirky at times, and had a lifelong love of learning. He was good-natured and always saw the glass half-full. He had the utmost integrity and accepted everyone as they were. He believed we have a responsibility to our fellow man and that resources should be shared with all, leaving no one in need. His family and friends loved him dearly and will forever hold him in their hearts.

Frank was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Carol Denise. He is survived by his wife Joyce, of 72 years; six children, son Sam Sloan and wife Lize, son Philip Sloan and wife Dale, son Bradley Sloan, son Benjamin Sloan and wife Barbara, daughter Mary Hightower with Bob Hightower; eleven grandchildren, Rhea, Christopher, Ashley, Hunter, Sarah, Chelsea, Amy, Samantha, Hayley, Amanda, and Brandon; and twelve precious great-grandchildren.

A funeral service for Frank is planned for Monday, March 14, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian church on 14311 Wells Port Avenue, Austin, Texas. The following day, Tuesday, March 15, there will be an informal graveside service and burial from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Grove Hill Cemetery, 3920 Samuell Blvd. in Dallas, Texas. All are invited to attend.