Frank Hunter

Frank Allen Hunter, 81, passed away at home early Sunday morning, August 11, 2024, after succumbing to a brief battle with heart disease.

Frank is survived by his wife, Debbie, former wife, Pam Hunter, children, Traci Davis and Frank Hunter, Jr., stepsons Clint and Randy Eley, grandchildren, Greg Bohac, Trey Hunter, Kaleb Hunter and Kenli Hunter, numerous great grandchildren, siblings, Kenneth Hunter (+Mary Ann), Sue Ann Chappell (Randall), Lou Nan Kirby, and many loving and adoring nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Billy Earl Hunter (+Sue).

Frank was born on the cold winter night of December 16, 1942 in Borger, Texas, to Earl and Irene Hunter. That frigid air must have heated up considerably, however, the night Frank was born because his sunny charismatic personality had that effect on everything and everyone he ever encountered.

Destined to be a leader, Frank was running his father's thriving ready mix plant at the young age of 15. Even then he enjoyed hard work and responsibility, and those qualities remained with him throughout of his life. That, along with his perseverance and intelligence, molded him into a successful businessman.

Many Texas highways you drive on today were built by Frank when he was superintendent for Heldenfels Brothers. The youngest to hold that position, Frank worked for them many years busily building our highways with the same passion and enthusiasm he had for everything else in life.

Along with his brother, Kenneth, and two other partners, Frank formed a construction company in Corpus Christi named Isles Construction Company. With this lucrative company, they developed many areas of Padre Island to better meet the residential, commercial and recreational needs of the Padre Island community. When, in 1980, Hurricane Allen destroyed Bob Hall Pier in Corpus Christi and Horace Caldwell Pier in Port Aransas, their company constructed new identical 1200 foot concrete piers, along with added amenities, that replaced the wooden structures. Their innovative work in driving piers in record breaking time, and the design of the piers with removable concrete slabs allowed for the public to again enjoy the piers, and provided enhanced protection from future storms.

While working as a heavy equipment salesman for Fiat-Allis in Corpus Christi, Frank was named Salesman of the Year for several consecutive years. His integrity, honesty, knowledge of equipment, and forthright dealings with customers earned him this honor. He later turned to construction consulting and often worked with area business leaders and local politicians on many city and statewide projects.

Whenever Frank was not out 'slaying dragons', as he liked to say, he enjoyed his lifelong passion for fast cars. In the early 1990's, he and his son, Frank, Jr., decided to build a drag truck - a feat many drag racing enthusiasts said could not be done. But they soon proved the naysayers wrong! In 1996 the formidable white, black and orange drag truck named Trick or Treat was born, setting records on many drag strips. Trick or Treat was a real crowd pleaser, and was often asked to perform at many popular Texas race tracks.

Frank's passing will leave a tremendous void in the hearts all who ever knew and loved him. To his friends, he was their best friend, always teasing or cracking a joke, but most of all, always willing to listen or lend a hand. To his family, he was their rock and their protector. The invincible one. The one you always went to for a shoulder to cry on when things went bad, or the one you wanted to hug and laugh with when things went well. He brought laughter, joy and love to every family gathering. We will miss his warm brown eyes and beautiful smile. We will miss having him here to make us smile or to wipe away our tears....with his untimely passing, the world just got a little darker, but our wonderful and precious memories of him will forever burn brightly in our grieving hearts.

A celebration of our beloved's life will be held September 14, 2024 at 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church in Odem, Texas. Please join us to share your memories and the impact Frank had on your life, and the lives of others.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the animal shelter of your choice in Frank's name would be an honor to him.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frank Hunter, please visit our floral store.