An important influence on my youth died a few days ago.  Here’s to you, Frank!

KINGSPORT — Frank Abernathy, 84, entered into rest Feb. 15, 2012, at home.

Frank was born Jan. 30, 1928, in Okmulgee, Okla., to the late Fred Valle and Laura De Vilbiss Abernathy.

Frank graduated from Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) in 1950 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. While at OSU, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and the Phi Lambda Upsilon honorary chemical society. Frank began working for Tennessee Eastman Company in 1950 in the yarn plant and also worked in chemical sales and market research. He and his wife Mickey were adult advisors for Sing Out Kingsport in the 1970s and ’80s and Frank worked with Kingsport Junior Achievement. He retired from ECPI in 1986 after 37 years of service. After his retirement he taught a “55 Alive” driving class for seniors. Frank was a member of Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church for 46 years where he was very active and served as a deacon, taught Sunday school, and was a youth leader. Through the church he was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. He was an avid golfer and tennis player. He and Mickey loved to travel and enjoyed taking cruises and visited all 50 states.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Mildred “Mickey” Lowrey Abernathy, whom he married on May 17, 1952. Frank was also preceded in death by his brother, Fred Robert Abernathy and Fred’s wife, Emily Jean Reeves Abernathy.

Survivors include his children, Beth Mitchell and husband, Gary, of Kingston, Don Abernathy and wife, Valerie, of Kingsport,   Carol Jennings and husband, Jeff, of Gray, and John Abernathy of Providence, R.I.; grandchildren, Vicki Lawson and husband, Greg, of Fall Branch, Greg Mitchell of Columbus, Miss., and Dustin and Rachael Jennings of Gray; brother, John Abernathy and wife, Virginia, of Tulsa, Okla.; several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, with funeral services at 2 p.m.

Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church organ fund or Habitat for Humanity.

You may leave a condolence for the family at  http://www.eastlawnkingsport.com  . East Lawn Funeral Home is honored to serve the Abernathy family.