Frank Reams, 75

Frank Earl Reams, age 75, of Zephyrhills, Fla., died Saturday, Nov. 3, in Florida.

Frank was born July 16, 1937, in Delaware, Ohio, the son of Frank and Matilda "Tillie" Katherine (Asman) Reams. He grew up in Marysville, Ohio, and was very active in Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle. It was in Broadway, Ohio, at a roller rink, that Frank met his future wife, Virginia Carol Hall. They were married at First English Lutheran Church in Marysville on Dec. 24, 1956. He worked for United Telephone while in Ohio and later moved to California where he worked for Continental Telephone (later Contel.) He retired from Contel in 1991. He continued on in the communications field as a consultant until 2011.

Frank enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and golf, and he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was well known for his carpentry skills and quite often sought out by his kids and those who knew him for his expertise. A couple of Frank's achievements are the back bar that he built at the Hammond Golf Course and the gazebo at the Carmelite in Hudson.

While living in Hudson, Frank was an active member of the Lions Club. He was instrumental in organizing the first few pancake breakfasts at the old Hudson Country Club. Frank, along with his son Rick, were awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship award at the same time. Frank was very active in all the churches he attended throughout his life. He loved his church and the Lord. When he moved to Tampa, he found a church in Brandon, and with his talent of woodworking, he completely remodeled the pastor's office with a 10 or 12 foot desk made of oak. Then moving to Zephyrhills, he found Atonement Lutheran Church and was able to show his talents again. He put the window between the nursery and sanctuary. He made many improvements in the church and the one that he was working on when he took ill was totally new landscaping all around the church, acting as general contractor for new construction on the church. This he did not get to see finished.

Frank never knew how to retire. He got very heavy into the political end, helping a friend and neighbor with a water company that was overcharging for their water, not even fit to drink. He took two bus loads of people to Tallahassee to protest, and the end result was that the water company finally moved out of the state of Florida. He didn't stop there. There were people in North Carolina that heard of him and asked him to come and do the same for them. He had plans to go to NC next week and meet with many political people to help guide them. Again, he was not able to see the outcome. He was very passionate about this endeavor, which lasted 3 years. Frank organized a monthly breakfast for his community (Crystal Lake Retirement Community) the first Saturday of every month. He was chief cook and bottle washer for this even.

Frank will be sorely missed by his many friends and family. These were very important to him. In the ironic circle of life, within a short time of Frank's passing, another great-grandchild was brought into this world. Melanie Francine Reams, who was named after Grandpa Frank, now has a guardian angel looking after her.

Frank is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carol; children, Jim (Marlyn) of Poway, Calif., Tim of Hudson, Kim (Jack) Jelinek of Hudson, Rick (Anne) of Hudson, Steve (Julie) of Hudson; grandchildren: Michelle Reams, Matilda Reams, Zach, Katherine, and Sarah Reams, all of Hudson; Jeremiah Kidd, Sheridan, Wyo.; Adam Jelinek, New Brighton, Minn.; Karin (Cory) Jelinek, Coon Rapids, Minn.; Anthony (Rebecca) Reams, Aaron, Joe, Cody, and Broderick Reams of Hudson; great-grandchildren, Maranda and Gabby Jelinek, Isabella Nelson, Jaeda Collette, Konan, Kane, and Harlee Reams, and Melanie Francine Reams; his cousins, Rebecca (Don) Hilbert of Plain City, Ohio, and Marge (Charlie) Swink of Henderson, Nev., and their families.

He was preceded by his parents, Frank and Tillie Reams, and his daughter-in-law Susan Reams.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at Bethel Lutheran Church, Downtown, in Hudson. Interment will be private. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson, and 1 hour prior to the service at church Friday morning. Memorials are preferred.

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