VETERAN
Frank Fulton Fennell, Sr. was born April 8, 1930 in Seguin, TX, the sixth of seven children of Thomas and Marion Fennell. He began his education in the Ball School of Seguin, grades 1-12. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education and English at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1953 where he also graduated as a commissioned 2nd lieutenant after servicing as an ROTC cadet. He went on to complete his Master of Business Administration in industrial management from Florida State University in 1968. He served for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force earning the wings of a Master Navigator. He retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel. A World-Wide Transoceanic Navigator, he flew over 13,000 flight hours, plotted air navigational missions over 100 countries, all of the continents of the world to include the Arctic and Antarctica, and served in the Vietnam conflict. Frank was a highly decorated officer who flew combat airlifts in Vietnam. His many medals include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star with oak leaf clusters for valor under enemy fire. After retirement from active duty, Frank worked in the area of human resource management with two different Fortune 500 companies until he retired in 1991. Frank and his beloved wife, Bettye, continued to enjoy worldwide travel and for six years they went to the Republic of China to teach business and English to Chinese University students. They travelled extensively throughout China, Southeast Asia, Europe and South America. Frank was a member of the Main Post Chapel at Fort Meade and also a Red Cross Volunteer at the post hospital. He was a long-time member of both the Aesop Robinson golf group and of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was an avid golfer and bowler, with gardening being his passion. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bettye Jo (née Beavers) of Danville, VA and his children Rosalyn (Terri), Frank, Jr. , David, and Thomas (Jenell). He is also survived by his sisters Evelyn of Akron, OH, and Marian Henderson of Seguin, TX, the Speights family, Lynne Diggs, and a host of nieces, nephews, and dear dear friends. The funeral service will be held Friday, January 24, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Howard County: 9325 Presbyterian Circle, Columbia, Maryland 21045. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Grassroots Crisis Center, 6700 Freetown Road, Columbia MD 21044 or through grassrootscrisis.org.
Local family also submitted an obituary honoring Frank Fennell, Sr.:
It is with Great Anticipation I Announce Lt. Col. Frank Fennell Took Flight
Monday, January 13, 2020. On his Destination to the Father. Frank was a Tuskegee Airman, Navigator, Pilot, Veteran, Omega, Ball High Graduate, Father, and Husband, Relative, and Friend to many. His Career was Determined after a Short Plane Ride with a Local Pilot. Services are Pending In Columbia, Md. He will Be Interred at Arlington National Cemetery, which will be announced at a later date. Frank was one of the First Blacks sent to Saudi Arabia. He Spent 18 months there. Camel Sadldles are just one Relic of his assignments. He served in Vietnam and Thailand, Iceland, South America, Turkey, Antartica and all parts of the World. He always spoke well, of SEGUIN came back Home, and well-represented its Origin.