Frank Allen Woods

Frank Allen Woods

Nashville, TN

Frank Allen Woods, age 74, died on May 13, 2015 from complications of Parkinson's disease. Born in Frankfort, Kentucky and raised in Nashville, he is preceded in death by his parents, Allen Woods and Loyce Woods.

He is survived by his wife Jayne Ann Woods; daughters, Ashley Woods and Grayson (Russ) Woods Brown; grandchildren, Grayson Jayne and Freddie; brothers, Rondall and Larry (Saralee) Woods; nieces and nephews, and his dog Buddy.

Frank's entrepreneurial career began early. In 6th grade, he started with his first paper route, and within several months he had almost doubled his customer base. Frank was a proud graduate of Donelson High School where he was a basketball and debate star and a sometime practical joker. With the help of scholarships, midnight poker games, and a variety of jobs, he spent his college career at Vanderbilt (B.A. 1963, J.D. 1966) becoming a finalist in the National Debate Tournament, serving in the student senate, and campaigning for Democrats. He spent summers working with other Nashville boys in Walla Walla, Washington in a cannery, and stories from these summers have passed into family legend. When asked which of his life's accomplishments he was most proud of, he invariably replied "working my way through Vanderbilt."

While in law school, Frank agreed to coach the undergraduate debate team. During this period he met a very special debater, Jayne Ann Owens. They shared a love of debate, politics, and basketball. Married on May 29, 1966, their New Orleans honeymoon lasted only a few days because they were eager to resume campaigning for John J. Hooker in the governor's race.

After law school, Frank went to work for Hooker, Hooker, and Willis law firm, then he went to work for Lin Broadcasting. At Lin he had a mentor like none other in Fred Gregg. Gregg taught him the fundamentals of deal making. Frank helped broker deals for Lin, including the purchase of radio and TV stations, an independent record label, and he attempted to buy the Harlem Globetrotters. He went on to run his own businesses, including U.S. Bank, Sun Group, Woods Group, and Woods Capital. He helped launch CMT and Americana cable networks, and brokered a deal for the purchase of Shop at Home network by EW Scripps. Frank was always replete with ideas for new businesses and partnerships. His interest in people and curiosity about life provided him with adventures in business and politics.

Frank had a true gift for friendship. If he was your friend, then you had a friend for life. Though his approach to life could often be low-key, his eyes always sparkled with intelligence and humor. Until his Parkinson's diagnosis 12 years ago, he played basketball at the Vanderbilt gym three times a week. He took life with his disease in stride, and he enjoyed many visitors at the Meadows nursing facility. There, all his buddies frequently gathered around him to tell old stories. He will be missed tremendously by his family and friends.

Visitation with the family will take place on Sunday, May 17, from 3-5 p.m. in Hampton Hall at St. George's Episcopal Church. A funeral service will be held at St. George's on Monday at 2 p.m. St George's is located at 4715 Harding Pike in Nashville. Pallbearers for the service will be Lionel R. Barrett, Charles W. Bone , Charles Campbell Brown, Allen A. McCampbell, James R. Pickel, Jr., Warren Robeson, and James D. Squires.

The family wishes to thank Mary Long, who cared for him admirably, the staff at the Meadows, and all his many loyal friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity. Visit the online obituary: MarshallDonnellyCombs.com