Frank Cherry Guffin

Frank Cherry Guffin, age 97, of Austin, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2006. He was born January 22, 1909 in Giddings, Texas, to Paty Lillard Guffin and Louise Cherry Guffin. Frank moved with his family to Austin as a young man, graduating from Austin High School and the University of Texas. He lettered in track at UT and remained a staunch Longhorn fan. Frank Guffin was a schoolteacher and a hard but good one as remembered by former students. His teaching career spanned 38 years, first teaching and coaching in Llano, Texas where he snagged his bride, Orea Kendrick. They married July 1, 1933. The newlyweds moved to Austin where they lived the rest of their lives and raised three daughters. Frank taught chemistry and physics at Austin High until 1953 when he moved to Travis High School upon its opening, teaching there until 1965. He became assistant principal of Allan Jr. High until his retirement in 1967. During his early years at AHS he coached the Goldshirts and B-Team football teams. Many friendships and fond memories came from those coaching years. He also refereed high school basketball and announced AHS football games. His teaching career was interrupted only by service as a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps from 1943–1945. Frank also was an entrepreneur, inventing and developing coin operated pencil and paper machines. This business supplemented a teacher’s pay and provided extra income for his active family. All who knew Frank recognized him as an avid hunter and fisherman and many enjoyed a taste of his catches. His love of fishing took him from the Highland Lakes to the Texas Gulf Coast. A 491 lb. marlin caught in Hawaii provided his biggest “fish story.” Though his wife, Orea, predeceased him, their three girls and his sons-in-law survive him. Cherry Guffin Haught and Phil of Austin, Gwynne Guffin Johnson and Don of Huntsville, and Juni Guffin Davis and Jim, of Wilmington, North Carolina. Also surviving are grandsons, Frank Haught, Scott Haught, Jeffrey Davis and Jimmy Davis, and granddaughter, Julie Knight. He also leaves six great granddaughters, Kristen, Haley, Annie, Loren, Abigail, and Anna, and three great grandsons, Michael, Micah and Nicholas, nieces, Jean Skirm, and Lillie Ann Cruz, and nephew, Ed Cundiff, and their extended families. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Esther Saldana, Nina Requijo and Toni Ruiz who lovingly provided care these past four years. We also wish to extend our heartfelt thanks for the care and love given by Seton 8th Floor staff during his last illness and to his longtime doctor, Sheldon Markowitz, who so lovingly cared for “Coach.” The family will receive friends on Monday, July 10, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, Tuesday, July 11, 2006 with Frank’s grandson, Rev. Jimmy Davis, of Knoxville, TN officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com