Frank N. Massa Jr.

SGM (Ret) Frank N. Massa, Jr., age 76, resident of Columbus, died on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at Columbus Hospice House. Cryptside services with full military honors will be held at Masonic Mausoleum, Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Road, Columbus on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 1 p.m., according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, January 6, 2011 from 5-7 p.m. SGM Massa, son of the late Frank N. Massa, Sr. and Mattie Irene Parsons Massa, was born February 24, 1935 in Vicksburg, MS. He retired from the U.S. Army, where he served his country honorably for over 28 years. During his distinguished military career, SGM Massa served overseas in the Vietnam Era Conflict and was an Airborne Blackhat Instructor. During his tenure, he received numerous medals to include the Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal w/ V device and one OLC; Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars; Army Occupation Medal; Master Parachutist Badge; Combat Infantry Badge; Expert Infantry Badge; and numerous other ribbons and awards. After retirement from the military, he worked at Fairchilds Aviation. SGM Massa was a member of the Fort Benning Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rites, 33rd degree. He was preceded in death by two sisters and foster parents, Edward Eugene and Jimmie Louise Barker. SGM Massa is survived by his wife of 23 years, Deborah Massa of Columbus; one daughter, Debra Power and her husband Bob of Olivia, NC; three sons, Frank N. Massa, III and his wife Terri of Harris County, GA, Edward E. Massa of Olivia, NC, and Scott Massa, also of Olivia, NC; one brother, Charles Massa of West Monroe, LA; nine grandchildren, Frank N. Massa IV, Phillip Massa, Morgan Massa, Justin Massa, Tiffany Massa, Blake Massa, Ashley Martin, Lauren Massa, and Kayla Loyd; one great-grandson, Landon Massa, former daughter-in-law, Patty Massa of Columbus; other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Columbus Hospice at www.columbushospice.com.