Franklin Burns Barnett, 91, of Dallas, TX went to be with the Lord on January 6, 2017. He was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas on June 5, 1925, to Dorris Jack and Mamie (Burns) Barnett. Frank was drafted on August 13, 1943, sailed to England on a French Ship. The Army formed Unit 20 P.R.S, a small group to operate a Postal Station in Normandy, France. The invasion of France was first scheduled on his birthday, June 5, 1944; but due to the weather it was changed to June 6th. In June 1944, they landed on Omaha Beach where our troops in France received the first mail from the United States. The remainder of the war Unit 20 moved as our Front Lines moved. Christmas 1944 was spent in Holland; where in early 1945 a deadly battle was being fought in Belgium. The Germans had broken through our lines – that is called the “Battle of the Bulge”. February 26, 1945 his unit moved to Styre, Austria where he joined the 71st Infantry Division. The war ended while he was in Austria. However, before sailing home in January 1946, he played a few football games with another infantry Company in Munich. When the War ended, he returned to his home in Austin, Texas. He attended Howard Payne University on a football scholarship and graduated in three years with a Bachelor’s Degree. In 2004, he was inducted into the HPU’s Sports Hall of Fame. After graduation, he joined the Coaching Staff for Ballinger Texas High School. While Coaching he earned his Master’s Degree at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. Frank spent most of his career in sales with Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation in their Supply Divisions in Texas and Oklahoma. Later in his career, he worked as a sales manager with MISCO (Mountain Iron Steel Company) retiring in 1987. He was able to spend more time enjoying his 3 favorite hobbies: fishing, football and family. Frank was a true gentleman, honorable, and devoted to his family.
Frank is survived by his wife, Pat Barnett of nearly thirty-two years; daughter, Rebecca Bender; son, Charles Barnett; step-daughters, Crystal Westmoreland and Sheryl Martin; six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; sister, Patsy King-Boto, of Austin, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Mavis Morrison and Lynn Hosney; son-in-law, Dr. Robert Bender, and daughter, Linda Barnett.
A Celebration of Frank’s life will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Turrentine-Jackson- Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, TX with Pastor Neal Jeffrey officiating. A reception is to follow immediately after the service at the funeral home. Frank’s final resting place will be at DFW National Cemetery in a private family ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Denton Calvary Academy Scholarship Fund in Denton, TX, or Alzheimer’s Association.