Frank W. Shope Sr.

1932 - 2011

AZTEC
Frank W. Shope Sr.
1932-2011

Frank W. Shope Sr. went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011. Frank spoke often of the blissful day he would see the face of his Savior, and so his joy is now complete.
Frank was born in 1932, in Las Vegas, N.M., into a sharecropper's large family. He had nine siblings, and a love for farm life. Frank left school in the eighth grade and traveled the country, working on farms and ranches.
He met the love of his life when he was 17. Frank and Jimmy Ruth were married a year later.
Within the next three years, Frank became a father of two. The family continued to move around from ranch to farm, until they finally settled in Albuquerque, where Frank worked in service stations and dairies when the children were young.
Before long, Frank bough a carpet cleaning business which he and Ruth ran for more than 20 years.
In 2000, the couple moved to Aztec, where they cleaned churches, raised a few head of cattle and loved their quiet community.
In 1963, Frank accepted Jesus Christ, an act that forever changed his life and his family. Peace and joy are now his legacy.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jimmy Ruth Shope; his son, Frank W. Shope Jr.; daughter-in-law, Karen R. Shope of Vancouver, Wash.; and his daughter, Nancy Eldina Quinden of Aztec. He is also survived by one sister, Darleen Dial, of California; one brother, Pat Shope of Albuquerque; three grandchildren, Eldina Schuessler of Aztec, Jason Shope of Vancouver, Wash., and Matthew Shope of Albuquerque; and four great-grandchildren, Kara and Douglas Florence and Isaac Schuessler of Aztec, and Jarin Shope of Vancouver, Wash.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 26, at Cope Memorial Chapel of Aztec, 405 S. Main Ave.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27, at Bethel Baptist Church, 201 Heiland Road in Aztec. Pastor Bob Schlauger and Frank Shope Jr. will officiate.
Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Frank has been entrusted to Cope Memorial Dustin Chapel, 804 N. Dustin Ave. in Farmington, 505-325-9611.