HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Frank was a son of Edward and Betsy Cerny. As an Army brat, he started his life in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He would move nine more times before returning to Columbia, SC (Fort Benning, Taiwan, California, South Carolina, West Germany, California) and then settled into Columbia where he played football at both Dentsville High School and Spring Valley High School. Frank was a very good athlete and competitor - be it football, basketball, baseball, tennis – Frank was good at them all. He was also extremely smart. Frank graduated from SVHS in 1971.
He joined the Army at Fort Jackson and attended the West Point Prep School at Fort Belvoir, VA. Frank graduated from West Point in 1976.
He earned master’s degrees from Golden Gate University, Pepperdine University and Webster University.
Frank served eight years in the U.S. Army as a Regular Army officer in the Signal Corps. He was stationed at Fort Gordon, GA; Fort Jackson, SC; and the DMZ in Seoul, South Korea. He was medically retired in 1982.
Frank initially returned to Columbia and worked for the U.S. Postal Service for five years in the Five Points area. Later, he moved to Huntsville, AL, where he resided the last several years.
Frank was preceded in death by his mother, the former Betsy Rogers Cerny, and his father, Lt. Col. Edward V. Cerny. Frank is survived by his brother, Edward R. Cerny (Zoe Ann Bushouse Cerny), brother, Jeff Cerny (Robin Howell Cerny), and Jim Cerny (Susan Rauscher Cerny).
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, Columbia.
Frank will be buried in Fort Jackson National Cemetery on Thursday, July 1, 2021, at 1 p.m. Guests should arrive at 12:30.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Heart Association in memory of Frank Cerny, or to Spring Valley High School or West Point.
Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is handling the arrangements.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com
