David Russell Frankstone

1948 - 2024

David Russell Frankstone

May 2, 1948 - August 9, 2024

Hillsborough, North Carolina - On August 9th, 2024, at 6:10 a.m., beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and uncle, David Russell Frankstone left this life, having been shockingly diagnosed with an aggressive metastatic cancer only six weeks earlier.

In accordance with his fervent last wishes, at the moment of his death his hand was held by Laura, his adoring wife of 33 years. His endlessly loving son Lee and daughters Susan and Kate were with him throughout the days leading up to his death, as they had been frequently in the preceding weeks.

David was born in San Antonio, Texas and lived there until the family moved to Birmingham, Alabama when David was 16. There, at Shades Valley High School, he excelled academically and was on the swimming team.

He attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, with a major in Commerce. He graduated in 1970.

In law school at UNC-Chapel Hill, David again excelled academically and was on the Law Review.

Throughout his law career, David, an estate planning lawyer, was emphatic that he was not a litigator, but a counselor in the truest sense. It is ironic but also fitting that he, in his long career, had helped others face impending death to fashion their legacies, both material and personal. With this experience, he was able to navigate his own rapidly terminal diagnosis with courage and grace.

David is known to those who loved and admired him as a person of deep integrity, kindness, and wisdom. He lived his values of care and devotion to his family and community every day. Although most may remember his calm and measured temperament that brought comfort to family, friends, and clients, he had a sweetly sly sense of humor that made his listeners erupt in surprised laughter. David was also an adventurous and avid traveler, enjoying many trips abroad and in the US with his wife Laura.

David leaves behind his wife Laura Murphy Frankstone, his daughter Susan Hargett (Shaw), his daughter Kate Murphy-McMillan (Douglas Hollingsworth), his son Lee Frankstone (Helen), his brothers Manning Frankstone (Katherine), and Kent Frankstone (Jackie), his first wife Frances Carrington Gravely with whom he had a lifelong warm relationship, eight living grandchildren whom he called his proudest legacy, eight nieces and nephews, and generations of devoted clients.

He was preceded in death by his grandson Theodore Mulhollan, his daughter Cecelia Murphy-McMillan, and his parents Grace and Edward Frankstone.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Duke's Tisch Brain Cancer Center, Duke Regional Hospital's Cancer Center, and Duke's Hock Family Pavilion, the hospice center where David spent his last days. Here, the family firmly believes, David was held in love and something very like angelic presence.

David's Celebration of Life will be held at the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill on Friday, October 4th at 5:30 p.m. He will be privately interred at Bluestem Conservation Cemetery in Cedar Grove alongside his daughter and grandson.

Donations in David's name may be made to the Duke Tisch Brain Cancer Center in Durham, NC, or to an organization of the donor's choice.