Frank Joseph Follis
(January 5, 1939 - June 22, 2009)
U.S. Veteran Frank Joseph Follis, age 70, of Bolivar, Missouri passed away June 22, 2009 at Citizen’s Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri
He was born January 5, 1939 in Springfield, Missouri to Carl Follis and Dora Melanowski Follis.
On July 30, 1965 he was united in marriage to Marilyn Baker. To this union was born three sons, Jay, Joe and Jack.
After graduating from Willard High School in 1957, Frank enlisted in the United States Marines and after boot camp went through ROTC training at Southwest Missouri State. Frank graduated from SMS College in 1961 with a degree in Music.
He attended Drury College from 1961 to 1963 and graduated with a degree in Sociology and Psychology. After graduation he began working for the Division of Family Services and while working attended Southwest Baptist College and received his Masters Degree in Psychology in 1973.
Although, most of his career was in social service and healthcare, Frank was an accomplished musician. He had mastered several instruments. He gave private music lessons during and after his college years. Among the long list of noted students, one stood out, Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz”, one of his students while teaching music at the Federal Medical Penitentiary.
In 1970 Frank became the administrator of Bolivar Nursing Home where he served in that capacity for 19 years. During that period Frank served on several state legislative committees and served in several capacities for the Missouri Healthcare Association, which included Treasure, Secretary and eventually President of the Association in 1981.
He was also involved in a family partnership which owned and operated 32 facilities throughout the State of Missouri serving the developmentally disabled. In that capacity he served on several local, regional and state boards. Frank was instrumental in starting the Bolivar Sheltered Workshop. He continued to work with the partnership until his death.
He was an active member of the First Assembly of God Church in Bolivar, Missouri.
Of all the accomplishments Frank achieved, his most treasured moments was with his family. He was loved and adored by his wife, sons, daughter-in-laws and grandchildren. Over the past few years, although he was dealing with health issues, he rarely missed a ballgame or function that the grandchildren were in. They could always count on “Pa” being there.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Dora Follis, and a daughter-in-law, Angela Follis.
Frank is survived by his wife, Marilyn of the home, three sons, Jay, Joe and Jack, two daughter-in-laws, Amy and Jennifer, five grandchildren, Kaleb, Kolby, Jacey, Jackson and Jed, and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Thursday, June 25, 2009 at the First Assembly of God Church in Bolivar, Missouri with Rev. Gary Ankrom and Rev. Billy Russell officiating under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery in Polk, Missouri with Full Military Honors provided by the AMVETS Post #114 of Flemington, Missouri. There will be no formal visitation per the request of the family. Friends may stop by the Butler Funeral Home for viewing and sign the guest book from 10:00am-5:00pm, Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Pallbearers will be William Graham, Jack Baker, Chris Nickos, John Kallenback, Steve Keller, and Dean Griggs. Honorary Pallbearers will be Max Bacon, David Cribbs, Jack McCrimmon, Greg Powhida, Richard Appleby and Charles Fraser.
The family suggests contributions to the Carrie Babb Cancer Center in Bolivar, Missouri or to the Bolivar High School Music Department in memory of Frank.
Friends and family may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com
{Author's Note: Frank was my sister's father-in-law. He was a wonderful person and an excellent father/grandfather. His resilience was only matched by his positive outlook on life. He will be missed.}
