David Franklin “Frank” Minton, age 88, passed away Friday, February 28, 2025, in the Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. Frank was born November 9, 1936, in Snyder to parents, Louie Minton and Opal Inez Jones Minton. He graduated from Snyder High School in 1955 and attended college on a football scholarship, playing for San Angelo Junior College and Stephen F. Austin State University. Frank holds a Master of Education from Sam Houston State University. He managed four bowling lanes in Big Springs and in April of 1961, received the American Bowling Congress Perfect Game Award. In September 1961, Frank started his teaching career in Groveton and married the love of his life, Barbara Freeman in December 1961. He taught for three years at University of Corpus Christi before returning to Groveton as Athletic Director and Head Football coach. Every year Frank coached, he had one or more girls advance to and compete at the state level. Frank also taught Government, Economics, U. S. History and was Beta Club Sponsor in Groveton. He spent two years as the State sponsor for the Beta Club. In the 1980’s Frank and his family moved to Crockett where he served as Assistant Superintendent of Crockett I.S.D. He also served as Superintendent of Lovelady I.S.D. Frank retired in 1996 with thirty plus years in education. He has sold educational materials, worked for Region 6 Service Center in the Adult Education Department, supervising three counties. Frank has been a businessman, radio broadcaster, professional auctioneer, a member of the National Speaker’s Association as a humorist and motivational speaker. He has even been known to step into the pulpit to fill-in for the preacher. Frank was a member of the Lion’s Club for fifty years and was a member of Lovelady Church of Christ. He has received many honors and awards, Best Bar-B-Que at the World Champion Bar-B-Que cook-off in Houston, Citizen of the year from the Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce, and Distinguished Volunteer Award from the Texas 4-H Council. In his spare time, he enjoyed deer hunting, making deer antler pens, lamps, and knives. But his lifelong passion has been teaching and telling stories to his students.
Frank is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Barbara Freeman Minton of Crockett; daughter, Melody Benton and husband, Earl Dean of Pennington; son Mark Minton of Pennington; grandchildren, Matt Benton and wife, Kasey of Pennington, Mandy Benton of Pennington; great-grandchildren, Reaghan Benton of Groveton, Kentleigh Benton of Nogalus Prairie, Rylee Luke of Pennington, Lane Crowson of Pennington; sister, Jeanie Fambro of Snyder; brother, Thomas Minton and wife, Barbara of Eminence, KY; brother-in-law, Tommy Freeman and wife, Ginger of Chita; numerous other loving relatives and friends. Frank was preceded in death by parents, Louie and Opal Minton; brother, Bob Minton and wife, Rose; and brother-in-law, Densell Fambro.
Funeral services for Frank Minton will be held 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in the Callaway-Allee Memorial Chapel, Mr. Jeffrey Rollo, officiating. The family will receive visitors 2:00 p.m. Wednesday prior to services.
Online condolences may be left at www.callawayallee.com. 523
