Frank Medley

Funeral services for Frank Medley, 84 of Cookeville, will be Monday, February 5 at 8 PM at Willow Avenue Church of Christ in Cookeville. Interment with military honors will be Tuesday, February 6 at 10 AM at Crest Lawn Cemetery. Bro. Johnny Fox will officiate. Frank died Friday Night, February 2, 2018 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He was born July 28, 1933 in DeKalb County, TN to the Late Willie Howard and Bertha Delma Watts Medley. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by 2 brothers and sisters-in-law William David "J.C." and Kerrin Medley, Wilfred and Doris Medley. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran, serving from 1953 to 1957 and was discharged as a Staff Sergeant. He was a member of the Strategic Air Command stationed in South Korea, Japan, Philippines and Little Rock, Arkansas. He was the longest active member of the Cookeville American Legion Post 46, a member since 1953 (65 years). He was a member of Baxter Church of Christ. Frank was a 1953 graduate of Baxter Seminary. He attended Tennessee Tech University, where he earned a BS in Education and a Master's Degree and an EDS in supervision and administration. He began his teaching career at Jere Whitson Elementary School in the fall of 1961, teaching 8th grade. He transferred to Upperman High School in the spring of 1962, teaching Health, Physical Education, Driver's Education and coaching basketball. He restarted the football program in the fall of 1962 that had ceased many years earlier. He was appointed Assistant Principal in 1973, appointed Principal in 1986 and retired in 1995. He was appointed to the Cookeville Housing Authority Board in 1996, chairman in 2009 and retired in 2012. After his retirement from school he worked part-time at the funeral home in Baxter. He enjoyed talking with everyone he met and many times had some member of their family in school. He had a passion for wood working. Over the years he built many pieces of furniture and in his later years built many small baskets, picture frames, walking canes, clocks and various other items. He served as Grand Marshall of the City of Baxter Veterans Parade and Upperman High School homecoming parade. Survivors include wife of 63 years, Reba Jo Thomas Medley (whom he married April 3, 1954 in Dalton, GA), two sons and a daughter-in-law Gary and Amy Medley, Roger Medley all of Cookeville, grandchildren: Kristin (Jeremy) Tomes of Huntsville, AL, Jonathan (Jenna) Medley, Cynthia (Travis) Tate, Jackson Medley and Ashlyn Medley all of Cookeville, great-grandchildren: Addie, Camryn and Deyahn Tomes, Avery, Tucker and Ellie Medley; and sister-in-law, Gail Tucker of Silver Point, and a host of nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends at the church from 4 PM until service time at 8PM. Pallbearers will be Jackson Medley, Jonathan Medley, Jeremy Tomes, Travis Tate, Tucker Medley, David Medley, Earl Thomas, Neal Thomas, Stan Thomas, Clark Thomas,Ted Thomas, Tim Thomas, Melvin Anderson and Jimmy Tucker.. Memorial contributions may be made to the Baxter Seminary/Upperman High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 222, Baxter, TN 38544. When asked, Dad always said "I had two children, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and 1000's of extended children". Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home in charge of arrangements (931)858-2134. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.