Frank V. Langfitt, Jr., passed away in the loving embrace of his family at Marys Woods in Lake Oswego. Born in Salem, West Virginia, on July 16, 1916, to a country doctor and a vivacious and fun-loving woman, who were affectionately known to all the grandchildren as Daddy Doc and Mamoo, Frank was the middle child of three.

Growing up in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Frank enjoyed a bucolic Tom Sawyer-like childhood, which also had a decidedly Norman Rockwell-like tinge. After graduating from high school in 1934, Frank elected to attend the Virginia Military Institute, where he studied for two years before transferring to the University of West Virginia. After graduating in 1938, Frank attended one year of medical school at the University of Maryland. Despite academic success, the future life of a doctor was not to his liking. Leaving medical school, Frank was at loose-ends for a short time before activating his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. It was 1940. Americas entry onto the world stage as a combatant was clear to Frank. In his typical fashion, Frank stepped up to do his part even before hostilities broke out. The Army sent Frank and thousands of other soldiers, to occupy Iceland while the British evacuated the island and sent those troops home to defend their shores. This pre-Pearl Harbor decision had life-long consequences for Frank. In the same convoy to Iceland as Frank was an Army nurse from Virginia Beach, Amy Werz. Frank and Amy met at a dance, fell in love, and married on February 23, 1942, some two and a half months after Pearl Harbor. Amy departed Iceland and had the first of their 7 children, Shirley (Langfitt) Barnes on August 25, 1943. They did not see each other again until 1945.

Shortly after landing on Utah Beach, Frank learned he had been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. It was D-Day plus 34 and Frank was 10 days short of his 28th birthday. His task was to lead a battalion of 1,000 men into combat: the Battle of Normandy, the Breakout at St. Lo, and the Battle of the Bulge, were all ahead of him while serving in General Pattons Third Army. Kept safe by the lucky scarf his beloved Amy gave him when they parted, Frank returned home to her a decorated but unwounded veteran, having earned a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and the Air Medal. It was the first time he had a chance to meet his 23 month-old daughter, Shirley.

In 1946, through an Army friend, Julian Cheatham, Frank learned of an opportunity with a company then known as the Georgia Hardwood Lumber Company, which, in time, became Georgia-Pacific. Frank seized this opportunity, which led to a long and successful career in the timber products industry. Frank retired from Georgia Pacific in 1981, having risen to become a senior executive. With Georgia Pacific came stops in Georgia, New York, Washington, and Oregon, with Portland becoming the true family home. With the moves, came the births of six more children, Sharon, Frank, Sheila, Susan, Sandy, and Chuck.

Frank lost Amy on Febuary 19, 1976, to cancer. After re-marrying, and then losing his second wife, Vi Luther on May 10, 2001, Frank moved to Mary’s Woods where he found wonderful fellowship created by endearing and engaging friends.

Frank loved to travel, enjoyed gadgets, and was a self-professed car nut. He was the ultimate gentlemen, poised, measured, and considerate. He led by example and yet had a well-developed sense of humor, which he shared with his morning coffee group at Mary’s Woods. He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was unstintingly generous and kind.

Although a man’s life is laid in the loom of time to a pattern he does not see, those touched by a great man’s passing discern that for some the looms of time have woven a life’s pattern in gold, illuminating the dark for all to see that here was a man well-worth knowing. We will miss him so very much.

Frank is survived by his seven children, Shirley Barnes, Sharon Beaupre (John), Frank V. Langfitt III (Mary Janet Steen), Sheila Lorance, Susan Langfitt (Katie Bland), Sandy Reese (Jim), and Chuck Langfitt (Teresa); ten grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

The memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21, at Mary’s Woods Chapel of the Holy Names located at 17400 Holy Names Drive, Lake Oswego, 97034. A reception at Marys Woods will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Sisters of the Holy Names, P.O. Box 411, Marylhurst, Oregon 87936.