Paul A Frank Jr.

Paul A. Frank, Jr., age 99, passed away on April 6th, 2025. He was born April 2, 1926 in Akron to the late Frances H. and Paul A. Frank. Following graduation from Deerfield Academy, he served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. After the war, he graduated from Babson Institute and later completed the 1st OPM Class of Harvard Business School.

Paul served as Akron manager of Underwood Corporation for 10 years, and then purchased the Gilbert Lumber Co. in Smithville, which he operated for 32 years. He was active in the wood pallet and container industry, and served as President of the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association, the National Wood Box Association, and the Pallet Foundation.

At one time, he served on the board of the Akron Art Institute and the Akron Symphony Orchestra. He was a long-time member of the Old Trail School Board and served as its Chairman.

Paul was active in the Episcopal Church. He served on the Vestry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, was Senior Warden, and also served as Chairman of the Church’s Endowment Foundation. In diocesan activities, he was chairman of the Brazil Companion Relationship Committee, a member of Diocesan Council, Chairman of the Department of Finance, President of the Standing Committee, and a deputy to several General Conventions. In national church affairs, he was a member of the Standing Commission on World Mission, a member of the Executive Council, and on the boards of the UTO Committee and the Presiding Bishop’s Fund for World Relief. He helped to establish the covenant process for assisting overseas dioceses in becoming autonomous, and also represented the National Church to Liberia and West Africa for 25 years.

He was a member of Portage Country Club and for many years, was an avid golfer and tennis player.

Preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth B. Frank; and his daughter, the Rev. Elizabeth “Beth” Frank. He is survived by his son, Paul A. Frank III; daughter-in-law, Lucinda Anne; grandchildren, Gwen and Paul IV of Pennington, NJ; brother, John, of Akron; and niece, Valerie Frank, of San Francisco, CA; and nephew, Dr. Edmund Frank, of Portland, OR.

Memorial Service 11 A.M. SATURDAY May 24th at Christ Episcopal Church, 21 Aurora St. Hudson, OH 44236. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Frank World Mission Fund, The Diocese of Ohio, 2230 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44115. 

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, 85 N. Miller Rd. Fairlawn, OH 44333.