Frank C. Chavers

Frank Curtis Chavers was born July 7, 1932, to parents Howard Comer Chavers and Inez Lee Ridgway Chavers in Steadam, Alabama. He was the middle of five boys-Euby Bernard born in 1925; Arbie Lavon born in 1928; Elzie Carl born in 1935; and George Orvill born in 1940. He grew up in Atmore, Alabama, and started sharecropping at age 12. The next year, he worked 20 acres of corn and cotton on his own with Sam, the grey mule. After high school graduation, he wore out a pair of shoes looking for work in Escambia County and the surrounding area. Choosing the USAF over the back end of a mule, he enlisted on June 26, 1950-the first day of the Korean War. He was assigned to Tampa, Florida, then to Puerto Rico, flying photo-mapping missions from Florida to Brazil and establishing the geo-data link between North Africa, Europe and the US. After four months of mapping Alaska, his unit relocated to Topeka, Kansas, where he married Judith (Judy) Meade in 1953, and Cherrie graced the world for a few brief months. His unit moved to Palm Beach, Florida, where Linda was born the following year. In June 1958, Frank was commissioned through Officer Candidate School. Following pilot training, his first flying assignment was to South Dakota. A medical suspension ended his flying career in 1961; however, another daughter, Raenell, was welcomed. After training and certification in procurement, he was remotely assigned as a contracting officer in Korea. Next, he and his family transitioned to Japan, where he was responsible for providing procurement support for the communications link between Saigon and the Pentagon. On joint assignment with the Defense Supply Agency in NYC, as Chief of Policy and Review, Directorate of Contract Administration, Frank uncovered and reported hundreds of thousands of dollars misspent on numerous contracts. He was selected for Major six months ahead of his peers and transferred to be Deputy Plant Representative at Republic Aviation, while another daughter, Stacey, was welcomed. As Chief of Procurement at McCoy AFB in Orlando, Florida, Frank subsequently retired at the close of a distinguished military career. In 1971, Frank accepted a position with the Brevard Housing Authority. Eighteen months later, he was appointed as the Executive Director of four housing authorities with a $12 million annual budget supporting 2300+ families. In 1981, he married Roberta (Bobbie) Wargo. Later, Frank created a self-insurance program and after 30+ years in the housing, he became CEO of Florida Housing Authorities Risk Management Insureds-managing all aspects of a risk pool providing property & casualty insurance to housing authorities throughout Florida. Working into his eighties, Frank made a profound difference in countless lives. After 49 years in Brevard County, he moved to Estero in 2020. He enjoyed many hobbies including golf, fishing, reading and travel. Frank is survived by his three daughters – Linda (Monty) Sexton, Raenell (Tim) Robinson, Stacey Chavers; four grandchildren – Lynell Robinson, Matt (Brie) Sexton, Lynette (Jason) Robinson, Jennifer Sexton; and twelve great grandchildren.