Frank K. Spain

FRANK K. SPAIN Frank Kyle Spain, 78. died Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at North Miss. Medical Center in Tupelo after a brief illness. Mr. Spain was born in North Lewisburg, Ohio on Nov. 29, 1927. His parents were the late Walter D. Spain, owner of the former Spain Funeral Home and Mrs. Letha Mefford Spani, a public school teacher. He grew up in Lee County, was educated in the Tupelo Public Schools and graduated from Mississippi State University with honors at age 19 with a degree in electrical engineering. He was fascinated early in life with electronics and broadcasting and worked for the NBC network in Washington D. C. for several years. There, he was among the early broadcasters to develop color TV and live broadcasting. In 1957, with a strong desire for his hometown to have a television station, he founded and built WTWV, now WTVA, an NBC affiliate. He built the antenna, transmitter and switcher from the ground up. WTWV was the first Mississippi station to broadcast educational programming, which was his tribute to educating Missisisppi's school children. He later owned and operated the CBS affiliate in West Palm Beach, Fla., the CBS affiliate in Meridian, MS., and an independent station in Flagstaff, Arizona. He also owned and operated a microwave service company with clients from California to Florida. He was known internationally in broadcast circles and, in 2005, was awarded the Gold Circle Emmy for 50 years Lifetime Achievement in Broadcasting. Mr. Spain was a quiet, gentle philanthropist and was founder and benefactor of the nonprofit educational foundation the Tupelo Automobile Museum, one of the most extensive personal collections of vintage automobiles in America. WTVA was his pride and joy and he often bragged that he could take the Channel 9 staff anywhere in the world and they would be second to none. He loved the outdoors, especially his home in Montana. He was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church in Tupelo. Survivors include his wife of 21 years: Jane Lingard Spain of Tupelo and Hobe Sound, FIa. His children: Kyle Spain (Reese) of Los Angeles, CA., Dee Spain (Gina) of Tupelo, MS., Sharon Spain of San Francisco, CA., and Matt Dee and his fiancee, Aimee Lou Ross of Hobe Sound, FL., 2 grandchildren: Graham and Liam Spain both of Los Angeles, CA., and his WTVA family and broadcast friends around the country. The family is honoring Mr. Spain's request for no service or visitation. A registry will be available for friends and associates to sign in the Spain Room, so named for his parents, at Holland-Harris Funeral Directors Tupelo Chapel from 8AM7PM Friday, April 28, 2006. A collection of letters and personal expressions celebrating the life and legacy of Frank Spain may be viewed at: www.wtva.com by clicking on the "Frank Spain Memories" link. Once on the page, you may use the form to submit your fondest memories of Frank Spain. Mr. Spain's ashes will be privately buried on a hillside at his beloved Montana retreat at a later date. Holland-Harris Funeral Directors, 5281 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo, MS. 38801 is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tupelo Automobile Museum, 1 Otis Drive, Tupelo, MS. 38804 or to the Houston School District Solar Race Team, c/o Houston Board of Education, P. 0. Drawer 351. Houston, MS. 38851.