Frank Petway Highsmith Jr's Obituary
Frank Highsmith passed away on August 25, 2025, at the age of 87. Born on July 16, 1938, in El Paso, Texas to Kathryn Sue (Hood) Highsmith and Frank Petway Highsmith Sr., he was the eldest of their three sons.
While attending Austin High School, Frank distinguished himself through his active involvement in the ROTC program, where he rose to a leadership role. He graduated from high school in January of 1958 and went on to attend Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso). In 1962, he was drafted in the United States Army, proudly serving as a communication specialist while stationed in Germany. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1964, Frank returned to Texas Western College, where he completed his studies and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in August of 1965. Frank was a proud member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.
After graduation, Frank moved to Dallas and started his lifelong career with Texas Instruments. He met Betty (Vann) Highsmith at the First United Methodist Church in Dallas, and they married on May 31, 1969. Frank and Betty settled in Plano, Texas where they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Kathryn. Frank and Betty shared 25 years of marriage until her passing after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Frank earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas in 1971. He went on to enjoy a distinguished 35-year career with Raytheon, formerly Texas Instruments, before retiring. Over the course of his tenure, he held key responsibilities in capital asset control, financial and production planning, as well as industrial engineering.
In 1996, Frank married Helen (McElhany) Highsmith. Frank and Helen were active members of Floyd’s Faithful Sunday School class at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. During their retirement years, Frank and Helen traveled extensively, cherished time with friends and family and delighted in being with their grandchildren. Following Helen’s passing in July 2024, Frank relocated to Bryan, Texas to be closer to his daughter and son-in-law.
Frank had many hobbies, all of which he excelled at. A master gardener, he especially enjoyed growing hybrid tea roses, filling his gardens with numerous varieties that were both beautiful and wonderfully fragrant. He was also a skilled woodworker, able to refinish furniture, craft intricate wood projects, and build beautiful dollhouses for his grandchildren. Known for his perfectionism, Frank took great pride in doing every job well, whether repairing something or completing a methodical task like his daily sudoku puzzles. He was also a talented cook, best remembered for his Thanksgiving stuffing balls and Christmas enchiladas. Above all, Frank treasured his family and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
In the last years of his life, his body began to fail him. Hearing loss and glaucoma diminished his senses and eventually he lost the ability to walk and stand on his own. His memory faltered and critical thinking became more difficult. Yet through it all, Frank continued to find strength and joy in the love of his family and the compassionate care he received at Parc at Traditions Assisted Living. His faith in our Lord Jesus Christ brought him peace, and when his time came on August 25, 2025, Frank was ready. With a heart full of grace and assurance, he went home to be with Jesus.
Frank is preceded in death by his parents, his brother John Hood Highsmith, and his first wife Betty (Vann) Highsmith and his second wife Helen (McElhany) Highsmith. Left to cherish Frank’s memory are his daughter Kathryn (Highsmith) Lilly, son-in-law Brian Lilly, grandchildren: Benjamin Lilly (Aubryn), Caroline Lilly, and Victoria Lilly, brother Tom Highsmith (Liz), step-children: Steve McElhany (Lori), Bryan McElhany (Sylvia), David McElhany (Talina), Carol Smith (Dale), step-grandchildren: Wes McElhany (Jasmine), Brad McElhany (Miranda), Kim Harris (Ben), Andrew McElhany (Shelby), Bethany Huckaby (Tyler), John McElhany (Marissa), Sydney Atkins (Mason), Eric Smith, Ethan Smith and many step-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Scottish Rite for Children or the Wounded Warrior Project in Frank’s honor.
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