J. Frank Gilreath CHARLOTTE - Mr. Gilreath, 92, of Charlotte passed away quietly of natural causes early Friday, March 21, 2014. Frank and his family had been in the loving care of the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill, S.C. close to his son's home in Clover, S.C.
Frank was born April 19, 1921, in Charlotte, a son of the late J. Frank Gilreath Sr. and Flossy Baker Gilreath.
Frank graduated from Berryhill High School and went on to obtain an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Belmont Abbey College. He had a keen desire to study law, but with the rest of the "Greatest Generation" his future was swept up by WWII. Frank served as a carrier-based torpedo bomber pilot in the Pacific theater earning the Navy Cross, four Air Medals and three Distinguished Flying Crosses.
Four local Baptist churches were instrumental throughout Frank's life: Pritchard, First Baptist (where he married Betty), St. John's and Providence. He also served on the General Board of the NC Baptist State Convention.
After his naval service and seven years with Shell Oil Co. he joined his father and brother in the successful local business venture, Gill Mfg. Co. Frank's community service included serving on the Board of Directors for the following: Arrowood Association, Arrowood Association Credit Union, Airport Area Council and Wilkinson Blvd. Development Council. He also served on the Board of Advisors at Belmont Abbey College, "City Within a City" Committee for then Mayor Sue Myrick, Aviation Committee/Chamber of Commerce, Airport Advisory Committee/City Council, and the Breathe Committee/ Mecklenburg Co. Board of Commissioners.
In retirement Frank served on the International Executive Service Corps/UNICEF to promote the Free Market System in developing third world economies with projects in Egypt, Poland (3), Jamaica and Zimbabwe (2). Frank and Betty leveraged these trips to identify with and worship alongside local Baptists and other Missionaries.
Mr. Gilreath is survived by his son, John and his wife Dorothy; and two grandchildren, Jenna and John IV.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Betty Collins Gilreath (2003); and his daughter, Frances Emily Gilreath (1973); as well as his sisters, Mary and Mabel; and his brother, Edwin.
Visitation is planned for Sunday, March 23rd, from 3:00-5:00 PM at Harry & Bryant, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte. Frank's life will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 AM at Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte with the Reverend Dr. Al Cadenhead officiating. Entombment will follow in Sharon Memorial Park. All services will be in keeping with the highest tradition of full military honors.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial gift to the Frances Emily Gilreath Nursing Scholarship Endowment, Office of University Development, UNC-CH, PO Box 309, Chapel Hill, NC.
Frank was born April 19, 1921, in Charlotte, a son of the late J. Frank Gilreath Sr. and Flossy Baker Gilreath.
Frank graduated from Berryhill High School and went on to obtain an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Belmont Abbey College. He had a keen desire to study law, but with the rest of the "Greatest Generation" his future was swept up by WWII. Frank served as a carrier-based torpedo bomber pilot in the Pacific theater earning the Navy Cross, four Air Medals and three Distinguished Flying Crosses.
Four local Baptist churches were instrumental throughout Frank's life: Pritchard, First Baptist (where he married Betty), St. John's and Providence. He also served on the General Board of the NC Baptist State Convention.
After his naval service and seven years with Shell Oil Co. he joined his father and brother in the successful local business venture, Gill Mfg. Co. Frank's community service included serving on the Board of Directors for the following: Arrowood Association, Arrowood Association Credit Union, Airport Area Council and Wilkinson Blvd. Development Council. He also served on the Board of Advisors at Belmont Abbey College, "City Within a City" Committee for then Mayor Sue Myrick, Aviation Committee/Chamber of Commerce, Airport Advisory Committee/City Council, and the Breathe Committee/ Mecklenburg Co. Board of Commissioners.
In retirement Frank served on the International Executive Service Corps/UNICEF to promote the Free Market System in developing third world economies with projects in Egypt, Poland (3), Jamaica and Zimbabwe (2). Frank and Betty leveraged these trips to identify with and worship alongside local Baptists and other Missionaries.
Mr. Gilreath is survived by his son, John and his wife Dorothy; and two grandchildren, Jenna and John IV.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Betty Collins Gilreath (2003); and his daughter, Frances Emily Gilreath (1973); as well as his sisters, Mary and Mabel; and his brother, Edwin.
Visitation is planned for Sunday, March 23rd, from 3:00-5:00 PM at Harry & Bryant, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte. Frank's life will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 AM at Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte with the Reverend Dr. Al Cadenhead officiating. Entombment will follow in Sharon Memorial Park. All services will be in keeping with the highest tradition of full military honors.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial gift to the Frances Emily Gilreath Nursing Scholarship Endowment, Office of University Development, UNC-CH, PO Box 309, Chapel Hill, NC.
J. Frank Gilreath CHARLOTTE - Mr. Gilreath, 92, of Charlotte passed away quietly of natural causes early Friday, March 21, 2014. Frank and his family had been in the loving care of the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill, S.C. close to his son's home in Clover, S.C.
Frank was born April 19, 1921, in Charlotte, a son of the late J. Frank Gilreath Sr. and Flossy Baker Gilreath.
Frank graduated from Berryhill High School and went on to obtain an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Belmont Abbey College. He had a keen desire to study law, but with the rest of the "Greatest Generation" his future was swept up by WWII. Frank served as a carrier-based torpedo bomber pilot in the Pacific theater earning the Navy Cross, four Air Medals and three Distinguished Flying Crosses.
Four local Baptist churches were instrumental throughout Frank's life: Pritchard, First Baptist (where he married Betty), St. John's and Providence. He also served on the General Board of the NC Baptist State Convention.
After his naval service and seven years with Shell Oil Co. he joined his father and brother in the successful local business venture, Gill Mfg. Co. Frank's community service included serving on the Board of Directors for the following: Arrowood Association, Arrowood Association Credit Union, Airport Area Council and Wilkinson Blvd. Development Council. He also served on the Board of Advisors at Belmont Abbey College, "City Within a City" Committee for then Mayor Sue Myrick, Aviation Committee/Chamber of Commerce, Airport Advisory Committee/City Council, and the Breathe Committee/ Mecklenburg Co. Board of Commissioners.
In retirement Frank served on the International Executive Service Corps/UNICEF to promote the Free Market System in developing third world economies with projects in Egypt, Poland (3), Jamaica and Zimbabwe (2). Frank and Betty leveraged these trips to identify with and worship alongside local Baptists and other Missionaries.
Mr. Gilreath is survived by his son, John and his wife Dorothy; and two grandchildren, Jenna and John IV.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Betty Collins Gilreath (2003); and his daughter, Frances Emily Gilreath (1973); as well as his sisters, Mary and Mabel; and his brother, Edwin.
Visitation is planned for Sunday, March 23rd, from 3:00-5:00 PM at Harry & Bryant, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte. Frank's life will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 AM at Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte with the Reverend Dr. Al Cadenhead officiating. Entombment will follow in Sharon Memorial Park. All services will be in keeping with the highest tradition of full military honors.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial gift to the Frances Emily Gilreath Nursing Scholarship Endowment, Office of University Development, UNC-CH, PO Box 309, Chapel Hill, NC.
Frank was born April 19, 1921, in Charlotte, a son of the late J. Frank Gilreath Sr. and Flossy Baker Gilreath.
Frank graduated from Berryhill High School and went on to obtain an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Belmont Abbey College. He had a keen desire to study law, but with the rest of the "Greatest Generation" his future was swept up by WWII. Frank served as a carrier-based torpedo bomber pilot in the Pacific theater earning the Navy Cross, four Air Medals and three Distinguished Flying Crosses.
Four local Baptist churches were instrumental throughout Frank's life: Pritchard, First Baptist (where he married Betty), St. John's and Providence. He also served on the General Board of the NC Baptist State Convention.
After his naval service and seven years with Shell Oil Co. he joined his father and brother in the successful local business venture, Gill Mfg. Co. Frank's community service included serving on the Board of Directors for the following: Arrowood Association, Arrowood Association Credit Union, Airport Area Council and Wilkinson Blvd. Development Council. He also served on the Board of Advisors at Belmont Abbey College, "City Within a City" Committee for then Mayor Sue Myrick, Aviation Committee/Chamber of Commerce, Airport Advisory Committee/City Council, and the Breathe Committee/ Mecklenburg Co. Board of Commissioners.
In retirement Frank served on the International Executive Service Corps/UNICEF to promote the Free Market System in developing third world economies with projects in Egypt, Poland (3), Jamaica and Zimbabwe (2). Frank and Betty leveraged these trips to identify with and worship alongside local Baptists and other Missionaries.
Mr. Gilreath is survived by his son, John and his wife Dorothy; and two grandchildren, Jenna and John IV.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Betty Collins Gilreath (2003); and his daughter, Frances Emily Gilreath (1973); as well as his sisters, Mary and Mabel; and his brother, Edwin.
Visitation is planned for Sunday, March 23rd, from 3:00-5:00 PM at Harry & Bryant, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte. Frank's life will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 AM at Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte with the Reverend Dr. Al Cadenhead officiating. Entombment will follow in Sharon Memorial Park. All services will be in keeping with the highest tradition of full military honors.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial gift to the Frances Emily Gilreath Nursing Scholarship Endowment, Office of University Development, UNC-CH, PO Box 309, Chapel Hill, NC.
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