Frank Hyatt Jr.

1920 - 2013

Frank Hyatt, Jr.

Asheville - Frank Hyatt, Jr., 92, of Wilburn Rd., Asheville, died Saturday, January 19, 2013.

A native of Haywood Co., he was a son of the late Daniel Franklin Hyatt, Sr., and Elizabeth Clear Hyatt. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Kathleen Blankenship Hyatt; a daughter, Barbara Ann Hyatt; son-in-law Greg Aiello; and sisters Margaret Smith, Louise Bickerton, Inez Whitehead, and Lois Sherrill.

Mr. Hyatt was a graduate of Biltmore High School. In 1936 he worked with the CCC and then he worked at the Newport News Shipyard prior to WWII. He joined the Army Air Corps and later the Navy, serving on a destroyer escort in the South Pacific.

In 1957, Mr. Hyatt founded Hyatt Electric Co. He stayed active in the company until his death. In the 1950's and 60's, he was very active in the West Asheville Little League. He was also a member of VFW Post 891, which is named after his father. Mr. Hyatt loved life, and had many friends.

Mr. Hyatt is survived by a daughter, Marsha Hyatt; son Randy Hyatt and wife Marie; grandchildren Chris Hyatt and wife Leah, and Christina Pedersen; and special friend Daphne Waddell.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 28, 2013, at Pisgah View Memorial Park, with the Rev. Gene Blankenship officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Parkinson Association http://www.parkinsonassociation.org/ or to the Asheville YMCA Livestrong Cancer Program, c/o Mary Michaels (828-209-9606) on behalf of the Aiello-Hyatt families.

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family, and the online register is available at www.grocefuneralhome.com and at Facebook.com/grocefh.