Frank Rigsdell was born at home on June 17th 1929 in Palestine, Texas. He is named after his uncle Frank Hamilton Rigsdell. Frank is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Mary Edythe Marshall Rigsdell. Parents Fred Autrey Rigsdell and Anna Lou Clark Rigsdell. Sisters Wanda Mae Rigsdell Wesbrook and Waw Wease Rigsdell Rummage. Frank is survived by son Frank Stephen Rigsdell, daughter-in-law Kathryn Ann Frey Rigsdell, daughter Cheryl Marie Milley Peters and son-in-law Dana Floyd Peters. Grand children John Hamilton Rigsdell & spouse Jill Rene MacKendrick Rigsdell, Heather Marie Milley and Michael Andrew Rigsdell. Great grandchildren Jenna Elizabeth Rigsdell and Jake Stephen Rigsdell. Nephews Thomas Gerald Wesbrook and Russell Scott Rummage. Niece Lisa D’Ann Rummage Vuong.
Frank’s family relocated to Houston’s east end in 1942 where Frank attended Sam Houston High School and graduated with honors. Frank’s family moved to the Aldine area in 1944. Frank and Mary were married in1949 on his birthday at the parsonage of Memorial Baptist Church by Pastor D. E. Sloan. Son Steve was later born in November of 1951 and daughter Cheryl in June of 1953. Frank and wife Mary built their home at 522 Memory Lane in 1955.
Frank started his printing career working two jobs, one at the Triangle Printing Company and another for a neighborhood printer in order to support his family. A few short years later, he went to work for Clarke & Courts where he was employed and a member of the Houston Typographical Union until their closing in 1989. Most of his career at Clarke & Courts was spent standing at a large metal table (the stone) building forms made of lead type for use in the large mechanical printing presses. The forms weighed anywhere between 40 and 90 pounds resulting in two hernia operations and forearms like Popeye for Frank. One incident he spoke humbly of was a colleague had accidently spilled gasoline on himself while topping off a printing press’ ink heater fuel tank. The gasoline ignited and the colleague started to run through the shop area past Frank’s work station. Frank, while running, was removing his own shirt that he used to extinguish the fire on the man. Thanks to Frank’s quick thinking, the man did not suffer major injury. Graphic Source purchased most of the Houston office assets and due to his loyalty and reputation, Frank was offered and accepted employment with Graphic Source until his retirement.
For many, many years while dedicating himself to his work at Clark & Courts, to his loving family and friends, to his church and to God, he drove his unmistakable 1955 Chevy, 2-tone, 4 door, 210 (not Bellaire),with a Texas longhorn decal. In 1960, his mother loaned him $300 to buy the car and he drove it everywhere and forever….ask anyone that knew him.
Frank was a lifelong backer of Aldine Mustangs football including the Vaqueras drill squad and University of Texas football. He could recall plays and scores of ball games for years gone by…again, ask anyone who knew him. He enjoyed automobile mechanic work and earned an associates’ degree in air conditioning in the early seventies. He offered repair services by word of mouth to work colleagues, church member and friends & neighbors at an affordable price and a guarantee of the quality of his work. To anyone wanting to learn anything about automobile mechanics, Frank was a willing teacher. In the picture collage, you may have noticed his first pupil standing on the running board of a 1939 Chevrolet.
Frank passed away peacefully in his home with family and caregivers on Thursday, the 7th of February 2019. Frank was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He and his long time neighbor, Cotton Irwin, were the “fixers” of the neighborhood. Between the two of them many a neighbor or relative received assistance free of charge for every day issues that required their help.
Frank never met a stranger and anyone who had the time to listen he could talk as if they knew him for years. He is already greatly missed.
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