Frank James Schlesinger

Franklin James Schlesinger passed from this life on January 10, 2012.

He was born to Emilie (Tschoerner) and Frank Schlesinger in San Angelo on May 30th, 1937 and grew up farming in the Jarrell and Corn Hill area.

Franklin attended Holy Trinity grade school at Corn Hill and graduated from Jarrell High School in 1955. The family moved to Temple in 1957, and Franklin worked for Griggs Equipment in Belton. He married Donna Louise Watson of Bartlett on June 4, 1960.

Franklin enlisted in the Army in March 1960. His service included tours in Orleans France, Granite City Illinois, and Da Nang Vietnam.

Upon discharge in September 1966 he held a rank of Staff Sargent.

After the service Franklin and Donna lived in Bartlett and he worked a short time for the IRS in Austin. In March 1968 he went to work for the Texas State Teachers Association. Thier only child Paul Houston Schlesinger was born September 10, 1970; the family permanently settled in Taylor in 1972. Franklin retired from TSTA in March 1999 as Manager of Data Processing.

Franklin had many varied interests and hobbies; some of the most prevalent included bicycling, jogging, dancing, gardening, computers, sunbathing, beer drinking, wine making, weight lifting, hiking, camping, photography, traveling, chess, dominoes, purple martins, and visiting his many friends and relatives. His collections included a wide array of beer paraphenalia; antique radios, furniture, and clocks; and a vast assortment of other curios. He was an avid reader and stayed abreast of the latest political situations.

Franklin was a professional Tarock player and assisted in developing and running tournaments across the state. He enjoyed traditional country/western, Cajun, Czech, and German folk music. He recently built, by hand, a large room onto his house to display his most cherished possessions and host his friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by wife Donna Schlesinger of Taylor; son Paul Schlesinger of Taylor; sisters Rose Ann Burkel and husband Jim of Canton, Dorothy Schlesinger of Houston, Betty Joe Garcia of Arlington, Mary Jean Hermann and husband Bill of Sealy; brothers Larry Schlesinger and wife Mary Helen of Denton, John Schlesinger and wife Pam of Dawsonville, GA; numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Lynn Cmerek, Jerry David, Jerry Frankeny, RB Jackson, Larry Schlesinger, Paul Schlesinger, Allen Tschoerner, and Glenn Tschoerner.

Visitation will be held Saturday, January 14, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm with a Rosary at 7:00 pm at Goodnight Funeral Home in Bartlett.

Funeral services will be Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Goodnight Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Bartlett City Cemetery.

Reception will be held at the SPJST Hall in Taylor.