Francis “Frank” Edward Ditmore Obituary

Francis “Frank” Edward Ditmore

   Francis “Frank” Edward Ditmore was born on April 10, 1939, in Denton, Texas.  While sleeping peacefully at home, Frank passed away on July 28, 2015. 

   Frank attended Cisco High School and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with honors in 1961.  He served in the Army and National Guard and was a member of Riverbend Church.

 

   Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Katie Ditmore.  He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Lucy, his daughter Kelly Mahmoud and her husband, Basil; his son, Kristopher Ditmore and his wife, Tobi; his brother Carl Ditmore of Palo Alto and his wife Meredith; and three grandchildren, Maddy, Charlotte and Samuel Mahmoud all of Austin.  Frank’s children are grateful that their parents chose to raise them in Austin.   The whole family felt fortunate that Austin was home for all and that family gatherings were frequent.

 

   Frank, a Certified Public Accountant, spent his career in civil service beginning with the U.S. General Accounting Office and then with Federal Health and Human Services.  Thereafter, he served as the head of the audit division of the State of Texas Department of Health until his retirement.  Remembered by many as a coach for their childhood sport team or as someone who took action to improve the community, Frank often took leadership positions on the PTA, swim team board and other organizations, and he helped establish the Balcones/Spicewood neighborhood Christmas tree program.  

 

   Frank was a loving husband and father and loyal friend.  In work and life, he was tough and expected the best from those around him.  However, if someone was in need, there was no one more compassionate than Frank and no one more willing to take action.  He served as a mentor to many of Lucy's nieces and nephews.  Frank was the one to call in the family if you had a problem or needed business advice.  His accounting expertise was always available for friends and family at tax time, or when an unwelcome letter from the IRS arrived.  He loved UT, attending football and basketball games for decades.  As a member of the Capitol Rod and Gun Club, he enjoyed fishing and hunting.  Frank holds the state record for catching the largest hybrid striped bass.  A great loss to so many that loved him, we will miss Frank’s quick wit and caring presence in our lives.

 

   The family will receive friends at Weed-Corley-Fish on North Lamar on Friday, July 31 from 6:00-8:00pm.  Services will be held Saturday morning, August 1, at 11:00am also at Weed-Corley-Fish.  Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery where Frank can be close to Longhorn baseball.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Wonders and Worries of Austin, which counsels children who have a parent battling cancer.

 

   Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home – (512) 452-8811. Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com