Frank Lee Renfro, 88
Frank Lee Renfro, 88, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005, at Brendan House in Kalispell, of complications of a hip fracture and a previous stroke.
He was born on July 17, 1916, in Deepwater, Mo., the son of Hallah Ernst and Mary Elizabeth (Grossheider) Renfro. He attended schools in Deepwater, Brownington and Clinton, graduating from Clinton High School in 1933.
He entered the U.S. Navy on April 13, 1943, and served in North Africa and the Azores as a radio technician until Nov. 29, 1945.
He married Mildred Louise Ward in Clinton, Mo., on March 1, 1941, at the Methodist Church. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Hawaii visiting their youngest son, John, and family stationed at Pearl Harbor Sub-Base. This was a trip that they had long anticipated and was one of the highlights of their life together.
Frank worked as a heating-air conditioning installation and serviceman for McDowell & Johns Electric Company in Clinton, for most of his working life. He and Milly retired to Kila, where he designed and built their retirement log home.
In Missouri, he was an avid trout fisherman and the family took numerous camping trips to the Ozarks. In his early years and in his retirement he was a dedicated gardener sharing his bounty with neighbors, friends and relatives. He hiked each day in any weather and he and his sons enjoyed cutting firewood for their winter heating needs.
Frank and Milly were early members of the Kalispell Christian Church and attended regularly. This created a whole new and cherished community of friends.
Frank was a quiet, honorable, caring man who always had empathy for others' needs. He loved his family and friends.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mildred Louise "Milly"; and son, Donald Eugene.
Frank is survived by two sons, Jerry Lee Renfro of Kila, and John Franklin and wife, Lesa, of Silverdale, Wash.; grandsons, Johnathon and Jeremiah; sister, Mary Elizabeth Ingram of Kansas City, Mo.; brother-in- law, Frank and wife, Jenny, of Olympia, Wash.; and numerous loved nieces and nephews.
Memorial services for Frank Lee Renfro will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at Kalispell Christian Church, 1075 Foy's Lake Road, Kalispell. There will be no visitation. Inurnment will be held at Englewood Cemetery in Clinton, Mo. at a later date.
The family suggests that any memorials be sent to the Kalispell Christian Church Building Fund, 1075 Foys Lake Road, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.