Frank A. Williamson

Frank Anthony Williamson was born to Nadine Carmelita Israel and Harry E. Williamson in Lewis, Kansas on October 6, 1927. He went home to be with Jesus May 3, 2013 at the age of 85. Frank was preceded in death by his treasured wife and best friend Pansy Leta.

Frank, at the age of eight was placed under guardianship of his Uncle Perry and Aunt Daisy Israel who raised him as a son from that moment forward. They lived at the family farm in Walsh, Colorado/Manter, KS with Frank attending Manter Kansas schools. The family moved to Englewood in 1946 and Frank graduated with honors from Englewood High School in 1947. He played basketball in high school, loved baseball, farming and cars.

Frank receiving Christ at age nine was baptized at Walsh Methodist Church. He later would be a member of Englewood Methodist Church and Phillips United Methodist Church of Lakewood where he served on the board of trustees and sang in the choir for many years. He often quipped that he loved Methodists because they served the best potlucks and had the greatest rattle snake and rabbit hunts.

Following graduation Frank moved back to Walsh/Manter and worked on the family farm where he especially loved raising prize winning beef. It was at the Walsh Methodist Church that he met the love of his life Pansy at a Social in August of 1954. They married in Clayton, New Mexico on December 19, 1954 and then settled on the farm until early 1957 when they moved their family to Denver. He often said that some guys just marry their sweetheart… “I got to marry my family”.

Colorado has been his home since early childhood. He loved family times, especially those spent camping and fishing. Fishing with his children and grandchildren brought him life’s greatest joy. He loved sports – spectator was his favorite position. Frank was a “to the core” Bronco and Rockies fan. He loved attending Bronco games with Ron and Nola’s families. He also held a regular “date night” with Pansy for two years as they attended Rockies home games at least once a week. That tradition carried on with granddaughter Kelly for two years after Pansy’s death. His 80th birthday party was at a Rockies game where family and friends (40 of them) surprised him at the game when grandson Bryan reserved a section just off first base. Frank also loved to watch his grandchildren at their sports, activities, and events. He rarely missed the opportunity to attend the Englewood Speedway racing watching his brother-in-law Jess race “back in the day”. He also enjoyed NASCAR at Pike’s Peak and races at Colorado National Speedway. His active sport was fishing and he never tired of visiting Twin Lakes, Gypsum Lake, and Cottonwood Lake spending time with his son and his daughters, later his grandchildren doing just that!

Frank and Pansy treasured education and celebrated each of their children’s and grandchildren’s graduations. Until Pansy’s death they never missed attending special awards, scholarship programs and graduation ceremonies.

Although Frank and Pansy relocated to Denver never to return to farm life, the farm never left this farmer. He was always a master gardener – His and Pansy’s yard & garden became renown throughout the area. They raised peaches, strawberries, grapes, prize winning pumpkins (many over 100 lbs) and a tremendous vegetable garden. They loved sharing their rewards with family and friends. Frank and Pansy developed hybrid dahlia’s (dinner plate size) sold throughout the state and canna’s, some of which grew over 4’ tall. One of his Canna varieties sold over 100 bulbs to Texas Tech University one year and was featured at the front fountains there.

Frank and Pansy loved to travel. They grabbed every opportunity to camp and travel. They, on many occasions joined Norma and JB in travels together. Frank visited 46 states and traveled as well to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Scotland, England and his favorite Ireland. One trip he often reminisced about was the year 18 family members, took three campers and a van traveling over thirteen states in three weeks. “And we all came home friends!!”, he’d say. He loved family reunions – joining in the Eskew family fun weekends and visits, visiting Porter family in Arkansas and Israel gatherings on the farm.

Frank worked at Gates Rubber Company for just over 34years. He served in the Bandberry Division for over twenty of those years and finished in the Maintenance Department. He drove a school bus for 18 of those same years for the Jefferson County School District, where he earned numerous safe driving awards and competed in the Bus Rodeo Events – winning many of those. His last years there he drove the bus for special needs children. Frank and those kids developed a special bond which continued relationships of caring for years following his retirement. Also, following retirement he served on the Ditch Water Board for Kelton Heights Water District in Lakewood.

Frank will be greatly missed by those he leaves behind: His son Ron & his wife Robyn of Arvada; their children Michele and husband Phil Maddaloni along with Sydney & Austin of Erie, Colorado; Bryan with his wife Colleen Williamson with their daughter Finley of Westminster, Colorado.

His Daughter LaNola and husband Chuck of Parker, Colorado – their children Katie of Atlanta, Georgia; Kelly of Parker, Colorado; and son Cody with his wife Jessica of Selma, Alabama.

A second daughter, Della and her husband Louis – “Corky” Ware of Hotchkiss, Colorado and children: Elizabeth Hoza of Farmington, New Mexico; Matthew with his wife Tracy Hoza of Maryville, Missouri and their daughter Cora; Seth and wife Shiloh Hoza of Sealy, Texas with their children Christian, Lex, and Hannah; Nathan Hoza of Englewood, Colorado; Andrew Hoza of Maryville, Missouri; and Sarah Hoza of Vail, Colorado. There are numerous other family members who mourn his passing.

Survivors include: son Ronald James &(Robyn Lee) Williamson, daughter LaNola Sue &(Charles Owen) Clark, daughter Della Nadine &(Louis) Ware, brother Perry &(Lyn) Israel, sister Marie &(John) Filson, 11 grandchildren; Michele Lynn &(Phillip Thomas) Maddaloni, Bryan James &(Colleen) Williamson, Carmeleta Catherine Clark, Kelly Cristina Clark, Elizabeth Nadine Hoza, Matthew David &(Tracy) Hoza, Charles Cody Josiah &(Jessica) Clark, Seth Anthony &(Shiloh) Hoza, Nathan Gerome Hoza, Andrew Hoza, and Sarah Rebekah Hoza, 7 great grandchildren; Sydney Vitoria Maddaloni, Austin Quinn Maddaloni, Cora Ann Hoza, Finley Grace Williamson, Christian Hoza, Lex Hoza, and Hanna Hoza. Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Pansy Leta Williamson, parents Harry E. & Nadine Williamson, and Perry & Daisy Israel, sister Bettie &(Arnold) McCoplin.

There will be time for family and friends to pay their respects one hour prior to the funeral service. Services will be held on Monday, May 13, 2013, 12pm in the Chapel of Peace located on the grounds of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary. Interment will follow at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Frank's name to the Alzheimer's Association, 455 Sherman St., Suite 500, Denver, CO 80203.