October 18, 1966 – April 26, 2019
Francis ‘Frank’ Spangler was born in Columbia, S.C. to Dr. Robert S. Spangler and Mrs. Hannelore Noack Spangler-Freund.
A graduate of University High School in Johnson City, Tennessee, Frank continued his education, earning an A.S. degree in Paralegal Studies from Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He went on to earn a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.P.M. degree in Public Administration from East Tennessee State University.
Frank’s career included working for a government contractor at Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County, FL. While earning his A.S. degree, he interned at the Broward County Public Defender’s Office working on one of the most high-profile criminal murder cases of that time.
In Johnson City, TN, he founded a social advocacy firm assisting poverty-level citizens in obtaining needed medical services and in pursuing Social Security Disability under Title II and/or Title XVI. In 2002, Frank moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.
Frank met Christy McMullan at the Button South in Hallandale, FL in 1991. They married in Miami, FL in 1994.
Frank worked in the theater for years as an actor, stage manager and behind the scenes as a Technical Committee Chairman, professionally and as a volunteer. Frank made an appearance in CBS’ ‘48 hours’, ‘Dateline NBC’ series and in LIFE magazine.
For more than 40 years, Frank had been involved with the music industry, performing, collaborating, working with and being influenced by legendary bands and artists, including Lawrence Cotton, Red Morgan, Irvin Mayfield, Allen Toussaint, Kermit Ruffins, Jason and the Scorchers, David Lee Roth, Robbie Alter (Ian Hunter & Foghat), Charlie Huhn (Humble Pie, Ted Nugent, Foghat), Troy Turner, Guitar Slim Jr., Chuck Brown, Melvin Taylor, James Rivers, Dr. John and the lower 911, Walter ‘Wolfman’ Washington, among others. He was an integral part of the Johnson City, Tennessee ‘Marcel Yoda’ rock music scene.
‘Brought Up The Hardway’ was a studio project released in August 2010 by ClyDesign Studios in which Frank performed with Grammy- nominated Guitar Slim Jr. Frank has co-written, produced, executive-produced, published and performed in more than nine albums and CD recordings.
Recordings include four live performances with Guitar Slim, Jr. in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. All CD recordings were produced and published by MunckMix Music. Frank performed in the 2013 New Orleans Jazz Festival, which was broadcast worldwide live via the internet by WWOZ and affiliate stations and filmed for broadcast. Selected songs from the 2013 performance have been included on two different compilation albums. In 2015, WWOZ recorded the French Quarter Festival for a CD. It was videotaped by a French TV station for a European Blues Show.
More recently, Frank and Guitar Slim, Jr. were on a European Blues Festival Tour.
A voting member of the National Academy of Recording Artists (Grammys), Frank volunteered as a district advocate for the Music Modernization Act signed on October 11, 2018.
Frank also was involved in community services activities including COPS and CERT.
In addition to his love of music, Frank had a passion for Porsches. Articles he wrote about Porsche races were published in ‘der Vorgänger’ Potomac Region and ‘die Porsche Kassette’ Gold Coast Region for the Porsche Club of America. Frank initiated one of the most popular Gold Coast Region events – the Jazz & Blues Pot Luck Social held at his home for the past three years.
Frank and Christy traveled domestically and globally with family and friends. Frank was always open and welcoming to new people and experiences, making time for his friends and family on the golf course, at the bar, at Miami Dolphins games, and dog parks, among many other venues.
Frank is survived by his wife Christy Spangler; mother Hannelore Noack Spangler-Freund; father Dr. Robert S. Spangler and wife, Vicky; sister Alisa Spangler-Miller; brother Robert Spangler II; father-in-law Jerry McMullan; mother in-law Bonnie McMullan; brother-in-law Russell McMullan; Uncle Michael F. Millikin; great aunt Shirley Snyder; many cousins in South Carolina and Florida; nieces Summer Miller and Lora Jump, and his dog Titan.
In lieu of flowers, donations honoring Frank Spangler can be made to the Recording Academy MusiCares. https://www.grammy.com/musicares
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