Franke Gracia

Cpt. Franke A. Gracia

Temple, TxCpt. Franke A. Gracia, 52, formerly of Los Fresnos, Texas, died suddenly at Scott White Hospital on September 30th. He was born December 21, 1961 in Brownsville, Texas. He is survived by his mother, Julia Alaniz of Los Fresnos, Tx. Frankes father, Francisco Gracia, a crop duster pilot, preceded him in death. He is also survived by two sisters, Judith Gracia Graves, M.D. Steven, Richardson, Tx., and Nancy Gracia, Newtown, PA., and two brothers, Coleman Ammerman, Murphy, Tx., and Bernard Ammerman, Sebastian, Tx. Franke is also survived by sistersinlaw Denise and Cynthia Ammerman and by Margie Markham, along with nieces and nephews: Joseph and Mathew Kyle Nancy Jarrod, Austin and Landon Cheatham Judith Marcos, Alyse, Reed, and Sebastian Coleman and Ava and Thomas Bernard.

Franke left the classroom in 2005 to volunteer to serve his country after 911. His experiences in the war zone led him to write a book From Algebra to Afghanistan based on correspondence published by the Valley Morning Star and later by the Austin American Statesman. After earning a Bronze Star Medal and numerous other awards and a rank of captain, Franke returned to the classroom with the same love and dedication to his students and an empathy for college war veterans trying to adjust back into school and into society. He was a professor of mathematics at Temple College at the time of his death.

The family wishes to thank Frankes students who so graciously shared so many thoughts of his enthusiasm for teaching them mathematics. The family also thanks Paul Foutz and his lovely family for being such a big part of Frankes life and for their dedication to helping the poor in the bordering Mexican communities. Paul and Franke spent many holidays and weekends building living accommodations for the needy in Reynosa, Tamps. Where each nail driven was driven with love and respect for the families.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Frankes honor be sent to the Franke Gracia Memorial Scholarship Fund at Temple College Foundation 19 North Main Street, Temple, Texas 76501 2545987435. A Celebration of Life will be held at Temple College. Franke will also be honored along with other Hispanic educators at the October 12, 2014, Lulac Ceremony in Temple, Texas.

A fullmilitary honors ceremony will be held at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission, Texas, on Monday, October 6, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.

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