Frank Beauford Rowney, Jr. was born January 9, 1933 at home in Bertram, Texas the only son to Frank and Clara Rowney. At the time, he was the largest baby born in Burnet County weighing 12 lbs 12 oz and could possibly still hold the record.
He began his career with The Houston Clinton Company in 1953, which later became Lone Star Industries, then Pioneer Concrete and finally Hanson Corp. Beauford served as plant manager from 1985 until his retirement in 1999 after 46 years. During those years he was well known in the community for his involvement in many projects. He was instrumental in building the fellowship hall at the First Baptist Church, the basketball court, the maintenance ladder between the two buildings, the bus garage, and the Burnet Little League field with teacher Harold McClung. Beauford used his authority as Plant Manager to allow the use of company equipment to help the City of Burnet construct the Delaware Springs golf course and to clean up the town after the devastation of the 1973 tornado. His position also allowed him to supply ice for untold school and church functions, fish fry’s and basically anytime someone needed large quantities of ice, he provided it! Community Service has always been important to Beauford, because it’s just the right thing to do. He even took off a week of work to clear the lot for the new sanctuary for the First Baptist Church.
He served two terms on the BISD school board. In the middle of his second term, his youngest son and friends were caught drinking at a Junior High dance. The school board handed down a week-long suspension as punishment. Ryan remembers his Dad never yelled at him, but simply took him fishing. Just seeing his Dad publicly embarrassed was all the punishment Ryan ever needed.
Beauford was always ready for a deer hunt, bird hunt or fishing trip. Being outdoors was always one of his joys. Actually, Beauford probably enjoyed the camping out as much as the hunting.
Beauford has had a reputation as one of the best farmers around. He truly had a green thumb and supplied corn, black-eyed peas, beets, okra, green beans, onions, tomatoes, and fruit to many. He thoroughly enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren pulling beets, shelling peas, shucking corn or picking blackberries.
He met the love of his life, Kay Francis Ellison, when he was 17 and the star basketball player for the Bertram Panthers. Kay was 13 the first time she laid eyes on him and knew instantly that was the man she would marry. They married on December 17, 1955 and have led a wonderful life in Burnet, Texas.
Beauford was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Clara Rowney, and sisters Rena Crawford, Kathleen Didway, and Mabel Lohman.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Kay, sons Randy and wife Leslie of Spring, TX, Ryan and wife Karyn of Burnet. Grandchildren Seth and wife Kristyn, Kaitlyn and husband Alec Skorchiet, Raeghan and husband Gil Levy, and Ross Rowney. Great-granchildren Kaedyn, Kinzy, and Cash Rowney and Alice Levy.
Services will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Burnet. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church building fund, P.O. Box 310, Burnet, TX 78611. Condolences may be offered to www.clementswilcoxburnet.com
Arrangements entrusted to Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home Burnet, Texas
