Fran Fagan Keal was born on April 11, 1951, in Jacksonville, Texas, to Frances and Harold Fagan. She passed away peacefully on March 23, 2014 in Deer Park, Texas, surrounded by loving family. Fran was fearless in her two year battle with ovarian cancer, never losing her sense of fun, her style, or her compassion for others.
She was a 1969 graduate of Nacogdoches High School and a 1973 graduate of Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Education. She received a Master’s Degree in Administrative Education from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Language Arts from the University of Houston. Fran held both Mid Management Administration and Supervisor Certifications from the Texas Board of Education.
Throughout her impressive career, Fran focused on providing quality education to all students. She taught 7th, 8th, and 9th grade English at Galena Park Junior High School from 1973-1978; was an 8th grade math instructor from 1978-1981 at Galena Park Middle School, and in 1981, she accepted an assistant principal position at Jacinto City Elementary School, Galena Park ISD. In 1986 she was promoted to principal of MacArthur Elementary School, Galena Park ISD, where she implemented improvements resulting in the school’s TEA “Recognized” and “Exemplary” designations. From 2006 until her retirement in 2011 she was principal of Havard Elementary School in Galena Park also leading that school to the same high student achievements and academic recognition. Fran was a teacher, a leader and a motivator of others. She received the 1989 Galena Park Classroom Teachers Association Administrator of the Year Award, the Galena Park/Jacinto City Rotarian of the Year award in 1995, the North Channel Women’s Coalition Award in 2002, and the Galena Park Independent School District Elementary Principal of the Year award in 2004.
Fran was a tireless community leader and served on boards for Deer Park United Methodist Church where she was an active member, the North Channel Chamber of Commerce, and the Galena Park Chamber of Commerce. She was also a member of the Galena Park/Jacinto City Rotary where she was President from 1995-1996.
She married her loving and devoted husband Jim Keal on August 18th, 1979. Together they raised two amazingly beautiful, smart, and talented daughters: Kristen Dunigan and Tracy Melton, both of Dallas. Fran is survived by her husband, daughters, sons-in-law Sean Dunigan and Clint Melton, mother Frances Fagan, brothers Joel and David Fagan, sister Pat Wright and her husband Steve, sister-in-law Cindy Michalk and husband Stuart, brother-in-law Chuck Keal and wife Amy, nieces Lindsay Haygood, her husband Andy and son Tyler, Shelby and Mackenzie Wright, Kelli and Jamie Michalk, Holly Hart and husband Jeff, and Hannah Keal, and nephew Zach Keal. She was preceded in death by her father Dr. Harold Fagan.
Fran enjoyed life. She had an unforgettable smile that lit up a room. She was a consummate professional who had a positive impact on both students and teachers. Her family was the center of her universe. She traveled extensively abroad and enjoyed warm beaches and beautiful waterfalls. She departed this life with grace leaving a legacy of courage, determination and the ability to out shop those less than half her age. She will be missed.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in The Chapel of Grand View Funeral Home. Services will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. at Deer Park United Methodist Church, 1300 E 13th St, Deer Park, TX 77536. Interment will follow at Grand View Memorial Park.
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