Frank L. Pyle Jr.

Retired business owner Frank L. Pyle Jr., 87, of Fort Wayne, IN passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 23, 2017, at 7:17 AM surrounded by his eight children at Sage Bluff Health & Rehabilitation Center in Fort Wayne. Mr. Pyle was the son Frank L. Pyle Sr. and Goldie M. (Neeley) Pyle. Frank was born in Old Hickory, TN; lived in Chula Vista, CA for eight years during his developmental years; and moved to Huntington, IN in 1949. Frank graduated from Huntington High School in 1949. He attended Ball State University and Huntington College, where he played football. He entered the United States Air Force in 1951, serving four years during the Korean War, and was based in Texas, Alaska and Oklahoma. He was honorably discharged January 3, 1955, and returned to Huntington, IN where he assumed the role of President of Utah Electronics before joining Pyle Industries, which was founded by his father Frank L. Pyle Sr. Frank and his father were the originators of the world-famous Pyle Driver Speaker brand. Frank remained President of the company until his retirement in 1995. During his tenure with Pyle Industries, Frank was President of the American Loudspeakers Manufacturers Association and was Campaign Chairman of United Way of Huntington County. He assisted in establishing the Junior Achievement program in Huntington, IN and served as its first Executive Director. Frank founded the Huntington Catholic High School Rambler Booster Club in the 1970s and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from the community and his business connections for the school athletic program. He also co-founded the Z-Place Pizza chain in 1970 in Huntington, which is still in business to this day. Frank was a standout athlete in many sports, his favorites being basketball, track, football, golf, and fast-pitch softball. He especially enjoyed watching Butler Bulldogs men's basketball and attending Homestead High School girl's basketball games. Frank is survived by eight children: Alan Pyle (partner Chun Gallagher), Huntington, IN; Joan (Tim) Watson, Walnut, IL; Mark (Sherie) Pyle; Kent (Ellen) Pyle, both of Fort Wayne, IN; Lori (Tim) Guy; Rise (Larry) Buzzard; Dean (Teri) Pyle; Joel (Paige) Pyle all of Huntington, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents; the mother of his children, Joanne Pyle, who passed earlier this year; and wife Evelyn Pyle who passed in 2014. Frank is survived by two brothers, William H. (Martha) Pyle of Huntington, IN, and Thomas E. (Carole) Pyle of Tucson, AZ, and sixteen grandchildren: Lindsey (Ron) Daniel, Andrea Watson, John (Joy) Watson, Michael Watson, Alicia Pyle, Taylor (Meghan) Pyle, Colin Pyle, Evan Pyle, Dustin DuPriest, Jennifer DuPriest, Adam (Kelliemarie) Pyle, Amanda (Jim) Koschmann, Alexandra (Tyler) Rosenfeld, Ryan Pyle, Max Pyle and Helena Pyle. Frank had eleven great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Tuesday only, December 26, 2017, from 2:00-5:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM at D.O. McComb & Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, IN. A private memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 27, 2017, for immediate family only before entombment at the Gardens of Memory cemetery in Huntington, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Allen County SPCA.