Eugene Maxwell Frank

Bishop Eugene M. Frank, 101, Kansas City, MO passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at Kingswood, where he made his home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 17, at Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak Street, where he was affiliated for 33 years. The family will greet friends following the service. A private burial will be held in Pittsburg, KS. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Eugene and Wilma Frank Scholarship Funds either at St. Paul School of Theology, 5123 E. Truman Rd., Kansas City, MO 64127, or Candler School of Theology, Development Office, 1531 Dickey Dr., Atlanta, GA 30322. Bishop Frank was born December 11, 1907 in Cherryvale, KS, to A.W. and Emma Maxwell Frank. He attended high school in Pittsburg and continued his education at Pittsburg State University. While still in college, he began serving churches in Bartlett and Chetopa, KS. He married his high school sweetheart, Wilma Alice Sedoris, in June 1930 and began his seminary training the same year at Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. In 1933, he was ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church, returning to Kansas and serving churches in Tonganoxie, Americus, Olathe, Kansas City, KS, and Topeka. He was elected to the Episcopacy in 1956 while serving First Methodist Church in Topeka and was appointed to the Missouri Area where he served from 1956 until 1972. While in Missouri, he oversaw the merger of three conferences into two and the merger of the African-American Southwest Missouri Conference with the predominately white Missouri conferences. During his tenure as President of the Council of Bishops (1968-1969) the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined the Methodist Church to form the United Methodist Church and the African-American Central Jurisdiction was dissolved. Bishop Frank had a great passion for social justice and race relations, and worked hard to moderate the racial struggles of the 1960s. He formed the Metropolitan Planning Commission in Kansas City to address racial equality, human rights, and needs. As a result, an urban ministry program was developed that crossed all racial lines. In 1956, he helped to found St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO, and served as President of the Board until 1972. He loved young people and wanted to see them well prepared for the ministry, continuing his involvement and support of the seminary throughout his ministry and life. He was appointed to the Arkansas area of the United Methodist Church (1972-1976) where he continued working for racial equality in the church. Bishop Frank was first and foremost a pastor who loved to preach and share his message of faith with his congregations. As Bishop, he had great love and compassion for the ministers under his care, taking a personal interest in their families and supporting them by visiting and preaching in their churches on a regular basis. After retiring in 1976, he taught for three years at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, leading seminars for and mentoring student pastors. In 1980, he returned to Kansas City where he was Bishop in Residence at Central United Methodist Church for eight years, the first time a Bishop had ever returned to serve on a church staff. Throughout his ministry, he served on many national and international boards including twelve years on the Executive Committee of the World Methodist Council. His travels took him to many parts of the world where he made friendships as close as those at home. He received honorary degrees from a number of universities. Music played a large part in his life as he loved to sing, lead congregational singing, and entertain the family by playing favorite songs on the piano by ear. His wonderful sense of humor is remembered fondly. He always felt led by God in a spiritual journey and lived his life supported by abiding faith. The 23rd Psalm held special meaning for him. He remained a humble and compassionate servant throughout his life, dedicating his efforts to bringing the church together in Christian love and service. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Wilma Alice. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Wilmagene and Lewis Noonan, Leawood, KS, and Susan and Mark Parsons of Ashbourne, UK; a daughter, Gretchen Frank Beal, Knoxville, TN; and son and daughter-in-law, Thomas E. Frank and Gail O'Day, Atlanta. He also leaves grandchildren, Ann Cleaver Noonan, Amy Noonan Danforth, Alicia Noonan Snead, Elizabeth Beal Murphy, Ellen Beal Davies, Mary Gretchen Beal Neary, and Andrew J. Parsons; and 14 great- grandchildren. He also leaves his special friend and companion, Margaret Reichert of Kansas City. (Arr: Mt. Moriah & Freeman 816- 942-2004)