Frank Koehne Lightfoot

Frank Koehne Lightfoot passed away at the age of 92 on December 21, 2021. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Bobbye Kirkland Lightfoot; and his parents Martha Koehne Lightfoot and Richard William Lightfoot, Jr and a brother Richard William Lightfoot, III. He was born in Columbus, GA on July 10, 1929. At the age of 13, his family moved to Tuskegee, AL where he graduated from Tuskegee High School, met the love of his life, Bobbye, and they later married in 1951. He interrupted his education and began his military service in the Naval Reserve (1947-1950), U.S. Army in Korea as a Sargent (1951-1952) and the Alabama Natl Guard as a 1st Lieutenant (1952-1960). His education includes a Bachelors (1954) and a Masters (1956) Degree in Physical Education from Auburn University. In 1978, he completed his Doctorate of Education from the University of Alabama in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He began his teaching career in Notasulga, AL in 1954, where he coached football, basketball and baseball. In 1957, he accepted the challenge to start the men’s baseball program at Alabama College and moved his family to Montevallo, AL. During his 34 year tenure at Montevallo, he taught, coached and mentored thousands of students, many of which became lifelong friends. He was proud of his many accomplishments and awards, but his favorites were the student selected College Night Dedication in 1988 and being inducted in the UM Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. After retirement, he and Bobbye enjoyed their love for travel and drove throughout most of the US and Canada, which included driving twice to Alaska. They also enjoyed attending and traveling to Auburn football games. He would quickly say that above all his accomplishments, he was most proud of his three sons and their families. He is survived by his loving sons: Frank, Jr (Kirsten) of St. Augustine, FL; Kirk (Carol) of Montevallo, AL and Scott (Kaye) of Greenville, AL; Grandchildren: Taylor (Jaime), Ashley, John (Jenny), Marion, Lauren, Megan, Chandler (Dakota), Virginia, Cooper, and Ann; Great Grandchildren: Thomas, Grant, Nora Joelle, Luke, Bradley and George. He loved and left behind his brother, Bob (Gene) and his family, countless former students, many close friends and relatives.

A visitation for Frank will be held Thursday, December 23, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Rockco Funeral Home Montevallo followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM. A private burial with military honors will be held at Montevallo City Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Dr. Frank Koehne Lightfoot Scholarship, UofM, PO Box 6000, Montevallo, AL 35115 or to The American Village-Lightfoot Memorial, PO Box 6, Montevallo, AL 35115. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rockcofuneralmontevallo.com for the Lightfoot family.