Frank Fritchman

Frank Markle Fritchman II, 87, of Tellico Village, TN, passed away and straight into the waiting arms of his Savior, his beloved wife, Dixie, and his oldest daughter, Kay, on August 19, 2025.

Born on November 10, 1937 (the Marine Corps Birthday), in Towson, Maryland, he was the son of Harold and Catherine Ryan Fritchman. His family migrated south from Maryland to State College, PA, then to Greensboro, NC, and finally to Greenville, SC. It was in Greenville where he met and married the love of his life, Dixie Ann Hill, on July 12, 1959. Her family had migrated "north" from Mississippi to Georgia and, finally, to Greenville, SC. Frank and Dixie were married for 65 years before she passed away on March 2, 2025.

Frank served in the Marine Corps as a teenager. After moving to Greenville, he attended Furman University and soon after he and Dixie married he enlisted in the Army and was deployed to Germany. After his discharge, Frank began a 38-year career with Square D Company, which took their growing family from Greenville to Marietta, GA, then to Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, Florence, KY, back to Marietta, then again to Florence, KY, before retiring in 1999. In 2001, they moved to Loudon, TN (Tellico Village.)

Frank (and the family) were always active in church. In every place they lived, they found and served in the life and leadership of their local congregation. Frank loved identifying things that needed improvement-and getting to work. He enjoyed writing letters of encouragement to family and friends and sending emails about many odd and interesting things: some spiritual, some political, many personal-but always written with the intention of being helpful.

He was deeply devoted to his wife, his family, and his church-but most importantly, to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He often ended his letters and emails with one of two benedictions: "YOU!" or "Be there." The first was his way of saying "Love you," a phrase he picked up from his grandson, Jake, when he was a small child. The second was a loving reminder to always keep our eyes on Heaven and the invitation to surrender our lives to Christ, so one day, we would all "be there" together with each other in eternity.

"You're there, Dad. You made it. We're all so proud of you. We'll see you soon."

YOU!!

Frank is survived by his daughter, Beth (Arlon) McPherson of Maryville, TN; his son, Mark (Amy) Fritchman of St. Simons Island, GA; and his six grandchildren: Jake McPherson, Zack McPherson, Dean Mullins, Asa Fritchman, Elijah Fritchman, and Zoe Fritchman.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."

- Psalm 116:15