Francis Lynn "Frank" Daugherty departed this life in the early morning hours of October 19, 2019 at Lindberg Crossing Senior Living Community.
Frank, as he was known by most of his friends, was born on March 14, 1927 in Deepwater, Missouri. After high school, he served his country on the Navy destroyer, USS Shenandoah, in World War II. Upon return from his service, he earned his Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from Central Missouri State Teachers College and taught at Montrose High School where he also coached basketball. A talented athlete, Frank was recruited to try out for the major leagues at The Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Cleveland, Ohio.
Although he did not get “picked up” by a major league team, he considered his interactions there with Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller a great life experience. After several years of teaching, Frank took a position with General Motors and moved to Kansas City.
In June, 1952, he married Rose Margaret Swaters, whom he knew from his days in Montrose. Eventually, they moved their growing family to Anderson, Indiana where Frank transferred to the Delco Remy Division of General Motors. Their family continued to grow, to eventually include three sons, three daughters and many beloved pets throughout the years. He remained with Delco Remy until his retirement, at which point he was serving as the Director of Industrial Engineering. As a supervisor, Frank enjoyed the social aspects of leadership, hosting fish frys for department members. He also truly enjoyed mentoring the many young student interns and budding engineers that he hired over his years at Delco Remy. Frank enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, music, golf, reading and fishing. He was an avid golfer who was proud to be scoring less than his age when he was in his early 80’s.
He was a talented singer and played trumpet, and he enjoyed performing in singing groups and community bands with his brothers as a young man. He shared his passion for music with all of his children, and took enormous pride and joy in going to watch his sons, Dan and Steve, perform in their various bands throughout the years. He loved nothing more than traveling with his wife, especially to Iron River, Wisconisin, Lake Ouachita, Arkansas, and Gulf Shores, Alabama where they made many lifelong friends.
Closer to home, Frank was very active in the community, sponsoring Junior Achievement clubs and enjoying memberships in the Optimist Club, American Legion, The Elks and the Eagles clubs. In addition, they spent many fun and laughter-filled evenings with the close friends they made at Edgewood Country Club as well, often singing around the piano for hours into the evening. He was a born entertainer, public speaker and storyteller, and was always the biggest presence in any room he entered. His children enjoyed daily conversations with him on a wide range of topics including local happenings, books, current events, sports and politics. He enjoyed any conversation that stimulated lively intellectual and philosophical debate. His children will remember with fondness the devotion he showed to their beloved mother in her failing health, setting aside his own growing health challenges in order to visit her daily for the several years that she spent in nursing care at Lindberg Crossing Senior Living Community. Rose preceded Frank in death by almost exactly two months, each day of which he spent missing her and longing to be reunited with her.
As Frank rejoins Rose, he will also be rejoining his two daughters, Julia Ann Daugherty and Teresa Rose McFarland, his grandson Brandon McFarland, his four brothers and his parents, as well as a host of dear friends who preceded him in death.
He leaves behind to grieve his absence his remaining four children: Daniel (Trish) Daugherty and Steven Daugherty both of Anderson, Indiana; Phil Daugherty of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Lisa (Wayne) Combs of Arcanum, Ohio, as well as daughter Teresa’s husband Bran McFarland. He is also survived and missed by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Frank’s immediate family will participate in a private celebration of his life hosted by Rozelle- Johnson Funeral Services and entombment will be at East Maplewood Cemetery, near his beloved wife.
Memorial contributions can be made to the donor’s choice of charity.
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