Frankston Area Obituaries — 1999-Present

Here are the obituaries posted for the current month from information provided courtesy of local and area funeral homes and published on their websites or those submitted by families. If an obituary is overlooked and it is desired that it be posted, please inform us at frankstondepotlibrary@gmail.com . Families may request changes or additions, if required. If you have an obituary for a person who has connections with someone or some family in the Frankston-Poynor-LaRue or Lake Palestine area that you want posted to this month or to the archives, and is not currently posted, please let us know at frankstondepotlibrary@gmail.com . Obituaries selected or submitted should follow a format which is essentially consistent with other obituaries posted here or by funeral homes and follow standard grammatical style. Through arrangements with funeral homes and/or the families, we will publish pictures with current obituaries. We will add pictures to archived obituaries from the print version of The Citizen newspaper prior to September 2019 when available. Pictures with archived obituaries posted after that will be added in cooperation with funeral homes or on requests from families.  As was the tradition of the Citizen newspaper, obituaries are published at no charge.

(Obituaries listed chronologically by date of death or funeral service.)

Jerry Gideon

Jerry Gideon of San Angelo and formerly superintendent at Frankston Independent School District, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, beginning at 10 a.m. at Southland Baptist Church in San Angelo, where he was a member,

He was born on Sept 26, 1938, to Pearlie Francis Jordan Gideon and Preston Wells Gideon in Brownsboro.

Jerry served as superintendent at FISD from 1970 to 1985, serving the district for 14½ years, after coming here from Overton ISD. His wife, Molly, was a third grade elementary school teacher at Frankston.

In 2019, Jerry came back to Frankston to receive induction to the coveted FISD Wall of Honor, bestowed for significant achievements for FISD and service to the community. Nominations for the honor detailed an extensive record of his tenure.

When Jerry became the Frankston ISD superintendent, he played a role in many changes and developments, starting with working to get financing and construction underway on a new K-12 school campus, thanks to a bond issue passed by the district voters.

The innovations and achievement in the years that followed ranged from reinstating athletic programs and the band to implementation of energy conservation programs on the campus. He also expanded vocational programs and implemented full-day kindergarten and the first special education classes. All the while, he was guiding the transition to the new building and campus.

He started a drama program with students ultimately competing at University Interscholastic League State competition. Also he implemented cooperative college credit courses at the Frankston campus which gave college-bound students the opportunity to earn 12 hours credit  before high school graduation.

In 1976, he continued his school achievements in coordination with the community by chairing the first Frankston Homecoming, Parade and Square Fair, still an annual event.

One of the results of the FISD innovations was exit achievement results in the top 10 percent in the state.

Another was the superintendent’s overview of a second bond issue leading to a building program which added a 700-seat Auditorium, Band Hall, Tax Office and classrooms.

His community service included volunteering as Summer Baseball Program organizer and coach, growing and improving the summer program.

In 1971, he was honored by the Frankston Lions Club as “Man of the Year”.  A 1977 Resolution of the FISD Board of Trustees praised the superintendent for his school, church and community efforts. He was an active member of the Lions Club and a deacon at the First Baptist Church.

Jerry worked in Texas public schools many years as a teacher, coach, and school bus driver in the early years. He completed his public school career as a school superintendent for 27 years, serving at Rains ISD in Emory before retiring for the first time. During his tenure in public schools, he served on state boards and committees.

A second, shorter career was with the Texas Assn. of School Administrators. That job required problem solving from his office in Austin and trips to school districts around the state.

He retired a second time after five years to settle down in San Angelo and enjoy his family. Jerry was an avid University of Texas fan. He always pulled for the ‘horns in their endeavors.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Preston and Pearlie Gideon; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Nell and Harrell Griffin; and three brothers-in-law Fowler Jones, James Griffin and Don (Bud) Wallace.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Molly; his two sons, Kent and wife Debbie and Stan and wife Stacey; eight grandchildren Preston Gideon and wife Savannah, Grant Gideon, Russell Gideon, Grace Gideon, Molly Perez and husband Chris, and Sara Gideon; and three sisters, Sally Jones, Leneta Wallace and Patsy Fowler and husband Joe. Great grandchildren were born in July and August.

The family has asked for donations to be made to the Alzheimer’s Assn.

(Some information for this obituary has been posted by Harper Funeral Home, San Angelo and some obtained in documents from Frankston ISD)

Jimmy K. Pope

Jimmy K Pope, 84, of LaRue passed away on Aug. 6, 2023.

He was born Jan. 27, 1939, in Levelland, Texas to the late James H. and Ruth Pope. He graduated from Levelland High School and spent four years in the Air Force.

After an honorable discharge, he married Sandra Sue Bean. He finished his bachelor’s degree in industrial arts at West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas. He taught school in Kermit, Texas and during his summer breaks he earned his Master’s Degree at East Texas State University.

While in Kermit, he confessed his faith in Jesus Christ in April of 1973. After eight years in Kermit, they moved to Poynor and he taught school in Kemp for two years. Jimmy decided to retire from teaching and purchased a shoe and boot repair shop in Jacksonville.. He quickly learned the trade and moved the shop to Athens where he also learned to make boots. Jimmy’s Shoe and Boot Repair was in business for 42 years. Jimmy was also an avid woodworker and made many items of furniture and clocks.

As a believer, he worshiped and served in several churches in East Texas.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra Pope; son and daughter-in-law Jason and Christina Pope of Flint; daughter and son-in-law Sarah and David Kerr of Tomball, Texas; grandchildren and spouses Justin and Emily Pope, Jared Pope, Tina Beth and Cole Muske, Abigail Kerr and Rhett Kerr; great-grandchildren Lucas and Nolan Pope.

In honor of Jimmy and his profession, the familly requests that you wear boots to the funeral service.

The family suggests that memorial donations be made to any of the following organizations: West Texas Boys Ranch, the Hospice of East Texas, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home in Athens. Funeral services will be Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with burial to follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park, Athens.

Paul Ronald Higginbotham

Paul Ronald Higginbotham, of Frankston, passed away on Aug. 13, 2023, his 72nd Birthday. He was born in Houston to Murphy and Lucille (Edwards) Higginbotham.

A funeral service is scheduled at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, at Frankston Methodist Church with Bro. Matt Thomas officiating. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Frankston. Mr. Higginbotham will be laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Danny, Donald and Melvin; and sister, Jeanie Monroe.

Paul served as an active member of the Methodist Men and volunteered at the Methodist Rainbow House for many years. Mr. Higginbotham worked with TDC as a correctional officer, and after 30 years he retired to the farm to work on “Brenda’s projects”. He enjoyed the outdoors including ranching, woodworking, hunting, fishing and shooting. Paul was a devoted husband and a beloved father who loved the Lord and will be greatly missed.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 50 years, Brenda Higginbotham of Frankston; sons, Ronnie Higginbotham and wife Amy of Cedar Hill and Dennis Higginbotham and partner Nina of Frankston; and his sisters, Karen Loden and husband Raymond of Rusk and Marilyn Nowell and husband Walter of Alto. He is also survived by grandchildren Kamren and Lilliun; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Dennis Higginbotham, Allen Higginbotham, Wesley Higginbotham, Steve Higginbotham, Kaleb Higginbotham, Kamren Stevens, Jarrod Holland, Cody Bristow and Alec Tatum. Honorary pallbearers are the Methodist Men and Baptist 42 players.

Visitation will begin on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023 and friends are cordially invited to visit with Paul’s family from 6 to 8 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

Memorial donations may be made to the Frankston Methodist Church.

(Information provided by Autry Funeral Home of Frankston)

(Obituaries posted contain information posted by funeral homes and/or requested by families. Families may request changes or additions, if appropriate or required.)