Frank Hadlock

Funeral services for Dr. Frank Owen Hadlock, 79 of Cookeville, will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 29 at First Baptist Church Cookeville with Rev. Bill Stone Officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Cookeville City Cemetery. Dr. Hadlock's family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral home and again Friday from 12:00 p.m. until service time at First Baptist Church Cookeville. Dr. Hadlock passed away peacefully Saturday evening, January 23, 2016. He was born June 5, 1936 in Thailand to the late Edwin and Janet Hoover Hadlock. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Sara Anne Tyler Hadlock, who died October 19, 2015. When Frank was young boy, his family moved back to the states and his father eventually accepted a position as a professor at the University of Florida. Frank grew up with two younger sisters, Nancy and Janet, and graduated from high school in Gainesville, FL. Frank was a U.S. Navy Veteran. He served following high school and earned the GI bill to attend college. He earned his Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree from the University of Florida and earned his Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Texas. He met his beloved wife Sara Anne while attending the University of Florida. They were married in 1960. He moved to Cookeville, TN in 1987 as the first department chair of Computer Science for Tennessee Tech University. He retired from Tennessee Tech in 2009. He started a software business, Metalingual Systems, employing several software engineers and developed useful products including the smartcard with a computer chip for personal medical records to be carried in your wallet. Frank was also an athlete and outdoor enthusiast; he spent much time hiking, camping, sailing and cross-country skiing. He participated in Outward Bound. He also enjoyed playing racquetball and would challenge anyone willing to play, often beating his unsuspecting opponent. He and his wife were active foster parents to several children in their lifetime. In the 1970's they also sponsored South Vietnamese Refugees of the Vietnam War, who lived in their home as family. Frank was generous and dedicated to serving others and supporting local ministries. He was a founding member of Grace Presbyterian Church. He also sought out opportunities to help those at the Rescue Mission, Miracle Mountain Baptist Church, First Baptist Church and other local missions. He is survived by three sons, Tim (Tanya) Hadlock of Franklin, TN, Tom (Judy) Hadlock of Cookeville, TN and Jerry Hadlock of Cookeville, TN; two daughters, Randella Hadlock of Spencer, TN and Ashley (Danny) Manus of Baxter, TN; two sisters, Nancy (Theral) Moore of Gainesville, FL and Janet Thomas of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren, Catie Grace, Samuel, Alex, Owen, Zechariah, and Paisley Hadlock; Matthew, Sara, and LC Manus and Danielle (Taylor) Pitts; great grandson Marshal Allen Pitts; and by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cookeville Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 1144, Cookeville, TN 38503.