Frank C. Altom

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at South Side Baptist Church, 1425 South 7th, with Drew Altom and Palmer McCown officiating. Burial will follow in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory. Serving as pallbearers will be his four grandsons, Dan Altom, Drew Altom, Jim Purtle, Brad Purtle, his son-in-law, Charles Purtle, and a nephew, Johnny Wayne Altom. The family will receive friends at a visitation from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Frank, son of the late William Joseph and Lula Jane (Mathis) Altom, was born March 21, 1918 in Dallas County, Texas. He spent his growing up years on a farm near Roscoe, Texas. Frank married Dollie Bell Periman on March 2, 1941, in Sweetwater, Texas, and they were married 62 years before her death on November 23, 2003. He was a member of South Side Baptist Church in Abilene for 66 years and served as a deacon for a number of years. Frank was a brakeman for the Texas and Pacific Railroad for 33 years, retiring in 1978. After looking for someone to bud his pecan trees and not being able to find anyone, he learned to do the work himself and founded Altom Tree and Termite Service in 1957. His son, Bill, now operates the business. Frank was an avid 42 and 88 player. He enjoyed grilling steaks for his friends and family and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Janis Altom of Abilene; a daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Charles Purtle of Prescott, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Dan Altom and wife, Leah, of Magnolia, Texas, Drew Altom and wife, Jennifer, of Burleson, Texas, Jim Purtle and wife, Michelle, of Humble, Texas, Brad Purtle and wife, Stephanie, of DeSoto, Texas, and Beth Purtle of Denton, Texas; seven great-grandchildren, Jensen Altom of Magnolia, Texas, Isaac, Caleb, and Katelyn Altom of Burleson, Texas, Bailey Purtle of Humble, Texas, and Jackson and Simon Purtle of DeSoto, Texas. He is also survived by one sister, Jewel Bailey and husband, H.M., of Sherman, Texas and a host of other family and friends.

You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliotthamilfuneralhome.com.