Frank A Garner's Obituary
By Lydia Bullock and Jane Leuthold:
Commodore Frank A. Garner was born ninety five years ago on March 25, 1921, in Los Angeles, California. Frank and his brother Don were orphaned when Frank was 3 years old, and the two boys were sent to Chicago as wards of the City. They stayed with various foster families as they grew up, graduating from DuSable High School in Chicago.
Frank was drafted at age 19 into the United States Army, serving three years in the South Pacific and rising to the rank of 1st Sergeant. Upon discharge, Frank went to Crane Junior College in Chicago and received an Associate’s degree.
If you ask Frank how long he had been married, he would say “Forever,” but that is not quite true. On February 9, 1944, Frank married Tessie Lydia Amedee in Chicago. Frank and Tessie celebrated their seventy- second anniversary this year. They are clearly Forever Lovers. Son Frank, Jr. and daughter Lydia completed their family.
New with family, Frank continued his education at night school for the next eight years. He worked various jobs and even tried his own business. Frank was employed with the Chicago Public School System (CPS) for thirty plus years. He was the first African American to hold the position of Director of Plant Operations and Engineering. While with the CPS, Frank taught Stationary Engineering evenings at Englewood and Chicago Vocational High Schools.
Upon retiring from CPS, Frank envisioned playing golf and sailing his 30’ sailboat, Angelitos Dos. However, the Chicago Housing Authority appealed to him to “temporarily” join their Inspector Generals’ Office in Contract Compliance to “straighten things out.” This temporary arrangement lasted five years.
Sailing, Frank’s hobby, happily consumed many pleasurable hours on the water. Frank shared his love of sailing with the Sea Scouts as a Qualified Sailing Instructor, skippering training excursions on Lake Michigan. An early experience was skippering a Sea Scout Ship from Mackinac Island back to Chicago. Frank also served as Commander of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit for two years.
His interest in sailing also led to his membership in the Jackson Park Yacht Club of Chicago. In 1997, Frank was elected the Club’s first African American Commodore, serving two years. Frank and Tess have been active and generous club members.
In 2003, Frank and Tess looked for a warmer climate to enjoy their remaining years, selecting “The Villages” in Florida as their new home. Frank died of a heart attack on July 4, 2016, with his family at his side. He will be missed by the many that knew and loved him.
Frank is survived by his “bride” Tessie, son Frank Garner, Jr., daughter Lydia Garner Bullock, sister Paullyn G. Morris, seven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. In addition, Frank is survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family of Frank A Garner asks that a memorial donation be made to the building fund of:
Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, P O Box 1149, Wildwood, Florida 34785.
Because he has donated his body to science, there will be no services of any kind at this time. When the research is completed, the body will be interred at Lincoln Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois. This may take 2-4 months and at that point the veterans will have a ceremony.
What’s your fondest memory of Frank?
What’s a lesson you learned from Frank?
Share a story where Frank's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Frank you’ll never forget.
How did Frank make you smile?