Edward Frankum

Edward Lee Frankum Sr. went home to be with the Lord on Thursday September 23, 2021, at the age of 86. He was born in Glen Flora, Texas on June 16, 1935, to the late Samuel Henry Frankum and Nancy Marie Cox Frankum.

Edward was the second of seven children. From an early age, he enjoyed helping anyone with any work to be done, or with any need, but he also enjoyed playing pranks. Everyone knew he had a deep love for all his family, but as time passed, everyone also knew to expect the unexpected from him. And of course, he thoroughly delighted in the surprise element of the unexpected times of his delivery.

His parents, all his siblings, his wife, his children, and others, have fallen prey to some of his shenanigans many times.  He loved that he got the reaction he wanted. However, in the younger years, sometimes his brothers’ reactions of retaliation might create a high chase and possibly a ruckus, but it all ended in laughter and fun, and genuine love for each other.

Just one of the way too many shenanigans to mention, and one that most of the family remembers is when he led a horse through the house. When his mama got settled from the shock of it, she asked him why in the world he did it. His answer was the horse had never seen the inside of a house and he just wanted to show her around.

Along with his brothers helping their daddy tend to the few cows, horses, hogs, chickens, and planting a field of various vegetables, he also enjoyed riding horses and bulls, and other rodeo activities. As he got older, he was in his element helping a few ranchers working cattle.He counted it a blessing, and he enjoyed having cattle and horses of his own all his adult life.

His first job was at The Ice House in West Columbia. A part of his job was delivering the huge blocks of ice to the fish houses and the shrimp boats in Freeport. Then he worked with his brother Dean at Matagorda Shell Company, where Dean taught him to operate a dragline.  They started at the Intracoastal Canal near Velasco. They also worked in Matagorda together, until Edward moved on to Seadrift. After that, he went to work for Texas-New Mexico Power Company, first known as Community Public Service. He started in the line crew in West Columbia, and later became manager in Sweeny, and then District Manager until his retirement. Edward was a devout Christian who loved God and sharing God’s love with everyone.

From the time he first became a Christian, he loved going to church. In 1954, God sent an added incentive for him not to miss a service. The beautiful daughter of the new pastor, Reverend and Mrs. Roy Bownds. Her name was Joan. In due time, they knew they were in love and meant to grow old together in holy matrimony. Edward and Joan Bownds were married on June 7, 1957. They lived by example, a happy loving life for 63 years, 7 months and 22 days.

He became a licensed preacher with the Assembly of God Ministries and was often a guest or substitute preacher for a lot of pastors.  He held many revivals both near and far, and performed many weddings and held many funerals. He and his wife Joan, and their family were active and faithful members of the First Assembly of God Church in Brazoria. He was the Christ Ambassadors leader; now it is known as Youth Pastor. He was a song leader, now known as a Praise and Worship Director, and a Sunday School teacher.  He also served as associate pastor when Reverend Bob Flowers was senior pastor at Brazoria Assembly of God. He was quick to pray for anyone and to encourage them, whether by telephone, in person visits in his home, or their homes, at nursing homes, in hospitals, or anywhere else there was a need. He was always ‘there for you’ for his family, his church family, and friends.

He was a true man of integrity, in his home and everyday life, his ministry and his workplace. He was a very generous man and loved to show his appreciation and gratitude. Since he was as comfortable in the kitchen as he was in the outdoors, much of his love and appreciation was expressed in the way of something good to eat.

Many in the medical field including home-health caregivers, other vocations and many friends and acquaintances, have been recipients of honey, homemade jelly, jam, figs, deer sausage, homemade biscuits, brownies, fresh yard eggs, fresh cow’s milk and other goodies. And we can’t forget his famous White Fruit Cake. Even though the cake is delicious, the love that went into the making and giving of it made it even tastier. He wanted everyone to have one.

Edward was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He will be greatly missed.  He is survived by his four children, son Edward Lee Frankum Jr (Karen), daughters, Donna Frankum, Kerry Finley (Eddie), and Nancie Irwin (Gary), four grandsons, Pete Frankum, Jake Finley, Ethan Irwin, and Garrett Irwin, and three granddaughters, Karley Frankum, Gretchen Finley, and Esther Irwin, two brothers Dean Frankum (Charlene) and Bobby Frankum (Wanda), his sister Karen Ryman, his brother-in-law, David Murff, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death, by his parents, by his loving wife, Joan Bownds Frankum, his brother and sister- in- law Norman and Neta (Keith) Frankum, his brother and sister-in-law Kenneth and Barbara (Green) Frankum, his sister Peggy Frankum Murff, sister-in-law Vivian (Kirkpatrick) Frankum, brother-in-law Russell Ryman, and nephew’s Dale Frankum and Jeff Frankum.

Pallbearers will be his grandson’s, Pete Frankum, Jake Finley, Ethan Irwin, Garrett Irwin, and his sons in law Eddie Finley and Gary Irwin.  Honorary Pallbearers are all his nephews and close friends Justin and Jeff Vogit.

A Visitation with friends and loved ones will be held on Saturday October 2, 2021, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at The First Assembly Church in Brazoria, Texas. With funeral service to follow at 2:00pm, and burial to follow at Brazoria Cemetery in Brazoria, Texas.