Frank Anthony Westbrook
Frank Anthony Westbrook, whose integrity, support, and service inspired and strengthened family, friends, and generations, went to be with the Lord on September 18, at the age of 92, after passing away peacefully at his home. He was born October 20, 1929, to Clyde Frank and the former Janie Mae Webb in Kerens, TX, the youngest of four children. After Frank graduated from Kerens High School in 1946, where he played on the football team while also working on the family farm, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served honorably in the Korean War. He served aboard the lead ship of the convoy transporting U.S. Marines and Republic of Korea troops from Japan to Korea for the Inchon Beach landing, as well as aboard a destroyer escort in Pearl Harbor, and kept in touch with Navy buddies throughout his life.
Completing his enlistment, he returned to Texas and took advantage of the G.I. education bill for veterans, graduating from the University of Texas in Austin with a Bachelor’s degree. In 1953, he married his beloved wife of 69 years, the former Hazel Christine Weathers from Kerens. After living and working in Ft. Worth at a steel company and then a new electronics firm, he began a 30-year career with Texas Instruments in Dallas, choosing to commute so he and Chris could raise their young family in Ennis. As a Vice President at TI, he hired the personnel to open TI’s semi-conductor plants in Sao Paulo and Singapore and managed personnel at the corporate office through 1989. After leaving TI, he enjoyed working alongside his late son, Walt, who owned and operated a small real estate business purchasing and refurbishing homes in Navarro County.
In 2000, Frank was instrumental in establishing the Kerens Ex-Students Association, Inc. (KESA) to provide college scholarships to Kerens High School graduates. He and Walt led the construction of the Ex-Students Alumni Center in downtown Kerens for community events, and Frank oversaw KESA’s financial records as treasurer. He created the Life Membership Endowment fund as he was passionate about giving more children an opportunity for success. With his interest in genealogy, he discovered an extensive Westbrook family tree, and found researching and visiting distant relatives across the U.S. a very rewarding experience. He was a voracious reader of every genre and enjoyed watching any and every football game, trading stories, and helping others. Above all else, his faith and dedication to always treat others as one would like to be treated and his generosity, love, and sacrifice enriched many lives. He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, a devoted husband, father and friend who will be dearly missed. He walks again with his son Walt, his parents Clyde and Janie, his brother Glade Westbrook and sisters Gwendolyn Westbrook Walker and Beth Westbrook White, and nephews Ronnie Westbrook and Bud White, who preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Chris Westbrook of Ennis, daughter Gay Anne Westbrook of Dallas and numerous nephews and nieces and their children and grandchildren. Graveside service celebrating Frank and a life well lived was held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at Prairie Point Cemetery in Kerens. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to KESA, P.O. Box 5, Kerens, TX 75144.
