Dr. Thomas Vincent Frank

Dr. Thomas Vincent Frank September 8, 1921 – March 1, 2006 Dr. Thomas Vincent Frank, 84, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2006. Services will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 4 at St. Louis Catholic Church with the Msgr. Tom Frank, Jr., Msgr. Ralph Brennan and Father David Leibham officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. followed by visitation with the family Friday, March 3 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Bosque Chapel. Dr. Frank was born September 8, 1921 in Altoona, PA to Vincent and Catherine Frank. Starting college on a music scholarship, he graduated from Georgetown University Medical School in 1945. In 1943, he and Pauline Nolan were married on Christmas day in Burlington, TX. In 1948, the Franks moved to Waco and Dr. Frank joined the VA Hospital as a resident physician. During the following years he became staff physician and later Chief of Staff. Serving in the US Army Medical Corp from 1943 to 1948 and then in the US Army Reserve, retiring in 1981 at the rank of Colonel. He was a founding member of the board of trustees of Heart of Texas Region MHMR Center. Following his 1974 retirement from the VA, he became staff psychiatrist at MHMR. During his 27 year career at MHMR, he singularly served as the psychiatric resource for Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill and Limestone counties, as well as serving McLennan County. He helped with the founding of: Reicher Catholic High School, St. Louis Catholic Church, The Serra Club of Waco and the VA Hospital Credit Union Members Choice Federal Credit Union of Central Texas. Dr. Frank belonged to the American Medical Association, Association of Military Surgeons, Waco Chapter of the American Heart Association, Advisory Board of Freeman House, Rotary Iternational, Knights of Columbus, McLennan County Medical Society, McLennan County Health Association and was a Distinguished Life Fellow in the American Psychiatric Association. A great highlight for the family was his initiation of the Frank/Nolan Celegames, an annual event in Riesel, TX. He started this tradition in 1976 and the family celebrates the 30th Anniversary this year. Besides this event he loved traveling, making wine, taking care of his cattle, playing the clarinet and having fun at the race track. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Bill and Paul. He is survived by his wife, Pauline Nolan Frank of Waco; son, Father Tom Frank, Jr. of Austin; son Jim Frank and wife, Vickie of San Antonio; daughter, Cathy Collins and husband, Mick of Waco, daughter, Peggy Credo and husband, Bruce of Highland Park, IL and son, Paul Frank and wife, Patti of Philadelphia, PA. Also surviving are grandchildren: Lia Frank and husband, Steven Patenaude, Maureen Mercado and husband, Gerardo, Sam Frank, Abby Frank, Rachel Allison, Sarah Allison, Liz Frank, Becky Frank, Sarah Collins, Dan Collins, Tim Credo, Kevin Credo, Tracy Shaw, Chris Shaw and Drew Peiffer; great grandchildren: Ben Mercado, Sofia Mercado, Gianna Shaw and Cayden Shaw. Also surviving are three brothers; Mel, Vinney and Joe Frank all of Altoona, PA. Pallbearers are Mick Collins, Bruce Credo, Sam Frank, Dan Collins, Tim Credo and Kevin Credo. Honorary Pallbearers are John Fulbright, Jerry Jansing, Harry Matustik, Jay Naman, Bob Muhl, Lloyd Fulbright, F.M. Young, Willie Hammonds and Marty Ginane. The family extends their “Thank You and Shante” to Dr. Artie Sudan, Regent Care of Woodway staff, Providence Hospital ICU and Step-Down Unit nursing staff and special care givers, Joyce Harris and Ella Walker. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart of Texas Region MHMR Center, 110 S. 12th St, Waco, TX 76701. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey