Frank A. Jerome

He fought a brave fight, but eventually cancer won the battle. Frank was born in Baton Rouge on May 9, 1931, to Frank Albert Jerome and Mary Stassi Jerome, and died in Baton Rouge on Monday, July 30, 2007. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War and was a true believer in the motto, "Once a Marine, always a Marine." While stationed at Camp Pendleton in California, he married Betty Sue Gerend of Fallbrook, Calif. Upon his discharge, they moved to Baton Rouge so he could attend LSU. As a student, he worked nights at Baton Rouge General Medical Center, serving as the acting director of personnel during his senior year. Upon graduation, Frank was promoted to administrative assistant and later to assistant administrator. In 1962, Frank began a 23-year tenure as administrator of Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston. Frank was a past president of the Louisiana Hospital Association, a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, past president of the Hospital Council of Southeast Louisiana and served as chairman of the Council on Public Education for the Louisiana Hospital Association. During his career at Lincoln General, Frank was instrumental in procuring funds to start a licensed practical nurse training program, working with the Ouachita Valley Vo-Tech School, with clinical training being conducted at Lincoln General. To further alleviate the statewide nursing shortages, Frank also worked with the administration of Louisiana Tech University and the state Legislature to obtain funding and begin the registered nursing program at Louisiana Tech, which has since graduated hundreds of nursing professionals. In his leisure time, Frank had several interests. He enjoyed playing golf his entire life. He played the guitar and numerous other musical instruments, even organizing an informal band, writing songs and producing a solo record. Frank especially enjoyed breeding, training and racing thoroughbred horses, having many successes throughout the years. After retirement, he and Sue moved to Diamondhead, Miss., where he was able to play golf as often as he wanted, and even continued racing horses. After Hurricane Katrina they moved to Baton Rouge to be near their children, and then his illness was soon discovered. Frank is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sue; his daughter, Susan Samaha and husband John; and son, Douglas Jerome and wife Angie, all of Baton Rouge. He is also survived by five granddaughters, Allison Rhymes and husband Jimmy, Shreveport, Catherine Michelson and husband Jason, Spring, Texas, Kristin Jerome, Shreveport, and Abby and Holly Samaha, both of Baton Rouge; and two great-granddaughters, Elizabeth Orion Michelson and Jillian Grace Rhymes. He is also survived by a sister, Shirley Brooks, Lafayette; and three nephews and two nieces. Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East chapel, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Thursday, Aug. 2, from 9:30 a.m. until memorial service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Gus Kinchen. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to Hospice of Baton Rouge Building Fund, 9063 Siegen Lane Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810.