Mr. Joseph Louis Frank's Obituary
FRANK, JOSEPH L. 83, passed away Saturday, November 8th, 2008 in Richardson, Texas. He was born November 30th, 1924 in Burlington, Vermont to Frank Frank and Mary Frank Burnswick. Joe served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946 and attended the University of Texas from 1946 to 1950 where he earned his Bachelors Degree and later a Masters Degree in Music. While in Austin, he met his beloved wife of 58 years, Marian Sunkel. After finishing college, Joseph began teaching band in Harlingen, Texas and served as High School band director there form 1949 to 1961. During this time, he and Marian had three sons, Joseph L. Frank, Jr., David Frank and James Frank. While at Harlingen, Joe produced outstanding, award winning high school bands and was one of several ground-breaking music educators who started a movement of concert band excellence in the Rio Grand Valley. The family moved to Richardson in 1961 where he worked as band director of Richardson High School and later Coordinator of Music for the Richardson I.S.D. During this time he provided a significant role in establishing the national reputation of the of the RISD for excellence in music education. In 1971, he took a position as band director of the Southern Methodist University Wind Symphony, and served in that position for four years. Joe returned to Richardson High School to teach the orchestra from 1975-1984. Once again he established a tradition of excellence and national recognition. During his career in music education, he served as Texas Music Educators Association Vice President for both the Band and Orchestra Divisions abd was later inducted into that organization’s Hall of Fame. In 1969, he was named director emeritus of the Richardson High School Band. He revived the Richardson Community Band in 1970. While working for the Richardson I.S.D. he received the Ross Perot Teacher of the Year Award for the district and was honored for Outstanding Teaching Excellence in 1984. The Texas Orchestra Directors Association named him Orchestra Director of the Year for 1991, and in 2003. Joe was admitted to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. In addition to his membership in T.O.D.A. he was a member of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and the Texas Music Educators Association. Along with his lifelong passion for music and teaching, he loved flying, boating, sailing, skiing, hunting and travel. Joe’s strength and devotion, as well as his warmth and playful sense of humor, will be dearly missed, both by his family who love him so much, and by the many students and colleagues who lives he touched. He is survived by his wife, Marian; sons, Joseph, Jr. and wife, Rebecca, David and wife, Edith, James and wife, Marilyn; grandchildren, Jessica Karlinski and husband, Anthony, Jeffrey Frank and wife, Meg, Jennifer Umana and husband, Doug, Christopher Frank and Lauren Frank and great grandchild, Abigail Karlinski. Visitation will be 5:30-7:30 PM, Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at Restland Funeral Home. Memorial service will be 3:00 PM, Thursday, November 13, 2008 at St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Belt Line Road, Richardson, TX 75080, (972) 235-2000. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4144 N. Central Exwy., Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75204 or the charity of your choice.
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