Frank "Mutt" Morton McIntosh

Frank "Mutt" Morton McIntosh was born on July 23, 1923 in Hamlin, Texas to Ellen "Rebecca" Chapman and Rush Lamuel McIntosh. He had two brothers, RL and Richard "Dick", and two sisters, Ermadine and Mary. He earned his nickname "Mutt" after a cartoon character in the daily newspaper titled "Mutt and Jeff", the nickname stuck with him for over 75 years. It was only within the last decade that he started referring to himself as Frank again.

Mutt's father, "Gran", worked for the railroad. RL and Mutt used the connection to their advantage to travel the country in their younger years. They traveled to New York, St. Louis, California, or any place a relative had a free place to stay. They were a handful when the pair were together. Ermadine was the older sister who tried her best to keep these boys in line. The siblings lived near each other until Mutt moved to Houston. Dick and Mutt owned investment property next to each other in Weatherford, Texas for many years. The brothers would meet as often as possible to visit. Mary and Mutt have remained close through the years. Sharing stories about their families. Mutt has always placed an emphasis on keeping in touch with his siblings. He called them each Friday and took advantage of every opportunity to go visit them.

Mutt held many jobs throughout his life. Although selling shoes was not his most glamorous or profitable career, it was surely the most life changing. A beautiful 17 year old, by the name of Mary Emma, came into the store one day that turned his head and captured his heart. After nearly a year of dating, they married on March 4, 1947. Over the years they grew closer to one another, best friends or soul mates would easily describe these two. They supported one another, compromised when necessary, and always communicated. Mutt and Mary were the perfect example of a storybook marriage.

Mutt and Mary expanded their family by one the following January. Marilyn Lee was the apple of his eye. He always had a special place in his heart for his little girl. During Marilyn's childhood, Mutt would carry her to the breakfast table each morning because he knew she was not a morning person. He enjoyed hearing her stories and was never short on time for his blue eyed princess. He was proud of her accomplishments, but mostly he was proud of the woman and mother she became.

Mutt worked in the train yard for the Santa Fe railroad repairing and “packing“ the wheels of trains. It was back breaking, greasy work, that wasn't always consistent. After 13 years, he and two friends from Junior High moved to Houston to begin a new life. Arlon and Peggy Hamby, Lee and Ruth Guthrie, and Mutt and Mary McIntosh started the Houston branch of Continental Water Conditioning Company. The three couples worked day and night to make their business a success. It grew to half a dozen franchises over the southeastern United States.

Marilyn wed her husband Rick in August of 1969. Mutt welcomed her new husband into the family with open arms. They were different types of men, but shared a common thread of loving Marilyn.

Mutt's grandson, John, gave him the nickname "Raddy", his abbreviated version of granddaddy. Two years later his granddaughter, Jennifer, was born. Raddy was an amazing grandfather, he happily attended sporting events, dance competitions, and award ceremonies to name a few. If his grandchildren were involved, he was there. Fifteen years ago, he excitedly awaited the birth of his first great granddaughter, Riley. Being a typical man, he showed his love for Riley by naming a new car after her. Barely over a year later, he gladly spent the day at the hospital to catch a glimpse of Colton. Raddy alternated between holding Colton for hours at a time and taking him for walks in the stroller during their days together. Years later, he received the surprise of Ella and Gavin. He was an active great grandfather who played ball, read, and colored with the kids. Raddy made each of his grandchildren and great grandchildren feel like they were the center of his attention and they were loved unconditionally.

Mutt and Mary were blessed to retire early. They joined a group at church that traveled to destinations around the globe. They shared their love of travel with their family, taking them all over America and even to Europe. Mutt loved to share stories of their travels. Hearing him recreate the travel group calling out, "Here moosey, moosey, moosey" in Alaska was always good to give the family a giggle, even the fiftieth time he told the story.

Mutt was generous, he was "paying it forward" even before the phrase was coined. He and Mary, a dynamic duo, put braces on many children, co-signed for cars and homes, and paid for college. Their expression became, "the government might be able to take your possessions, but they can't take your brain." His acts of kindness were not just for immediate family, but extended family and friends. Mutt and Mary would eat at a particular restaurant so they could leave a large tip for a waitress they knew needed money for her child's medical expenses. These are the few stories we know about, but no one knows the extent of their giving because true givers never boast of their generosity.

Frank "Mutt" "Raddy" McIntosh was gentle, loving, kind, generous, supportive, friendly, humorous, intelligent, and caring. He is the type of man you want your sons to become and the type of man you want your daughters to marry. He will be dearly missed by all of those who had the pleasure of making his acquaintance.