Frank Cleveland Hufstedler, age 96, of Plano, Texas passed away on Wednesday May 9, 2018. Frank was born Sunday, January 15, 1922 in Biggers, Arkansas to Eathel and James O. Hufstedler. He was the elder of two sons.
Frank was eager and energetic as a young child. At age 10, he sold newspapers, on the corner, to earn money to help his family during the depression years. He was very proud to have earned his rank as an Eagle Scout during his teenage years. At only 15, he taught himself to fly a “Jenny” airplane he and a farmer restored. He did this by practicing his flying skills from the farmer’s field.
Frank was a Naval Aviator during WWII. He flew PBY planes, for two and a half years, as an Air/Sea Rescue pilot, and then served as a Naval Reserves pilot for ten years. He was forever patriotic and was proud of his service to our country.
Frank married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Wallace, on September 13, 1944 in Corpus Christi, Texas, on that same day he was commissioned and awarded his wings. They enjoyed an active family life with the birth of a son, Michael, and a daughter, Debbie. They were blessed with four grandchildren; Angie, Brent, Amy, and Heather and double blessings came with the addition of seven great-grandchildren. The couple enjoyed sixty-six amazing years of marriage before Barbara’s death in 2010.
Frank enjoyed a career in sales, but in his downtime, he could be found enjoying fishing or flying his private airplane. He and his wife also loved to cruise and visit the warm Caribbean islands.
Frank”isms” that will fondly be remembered by his family and friends are; Happy Days Are Here Again, as he sang it everywhere he went… dining room, elevators, doctor’s offices… everywhere!
Frank was always the life-of-the-party wherever he went. He implored everyone to be happy, smile, and to look for the joys in life. Listening to Big Band music or some fun country tunes inspired him to also sing other engaging songs. When he wasn’t serenading everyone, he could be found playing Rummikub or watching John Wayne movies.
Frank is survived by his daughter, Debbie Brunson and her husband, Mike; son Mike Hufstedler and his wife, Donna; brother David Hufstedler and his wife Sandy; granddaughter Angie Freeman, her husband, Allen, and their children Douglas and Evan; grandson Brent Brunson and his wife Tempest; granddaughter, Amy Pomeroy, her husband David, and their five children: Emily, Dallin, Kylie, Devin and Camden.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Hufstedler; mother Eathel Hufstedler; father James O. Hufstedler, and granddaughter Heather Hufstedler.
A private family service will be held at a later date with the scattering of Frank and Barbara’s cremated remains in their beloved vacationing spot, the warm Caribbean waters.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy, for the Hufstedler family, may be shared at www.teddickeywestfuneral.com
This short video was made on Easter 2018. It is the perfect summation of Frank's philosophy of life. We all loved him and will miss the fun and joy he shared with us: https://goo.gl/Xggm2n
