Franklin (Frank) Thomas Tyler, age 71, of Corinth, Texas passed away on Friday, May 18, 2018 at his residence surrounded by family after a courageous fight with leukemia.   Frank was born on January 27th, 1947 in Meridian, TX to Ottis and Alle Mae Tyler. He had one older brother, Jan.

Frank attended 1st and 2nd grade in Cranfills Gap, TX, 3rd grade in Denton, TX, and then returned to Clifton, TX where he completed high school.  In high school he was active in sports playing football (having his picture in Texas Football magazine 1964), baseball, track, and was on the golf team.  He graduated from Clifton High School in 1965. He attended North Texas State University (now UNT) from 1965-1969 where he earned a bachelor's degree in Marketing. During college he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and remained lifelong friends with so many of his fraternity brothers, enjoying reunions and other get togethers.  Frank joined the Texas National Guard his senior year in college and served for 6 years. While at North Texas he met and soon married the love of his life, Betty Brockman, on December, 20th 1969 at Handley United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, TX. After graduation, Frank worked for Central Adjustment Bureau as a salesman. In 1975, he joined with long time friends to co-own Southwest Credit Systems, Inc where he worked as a salesman and vice president for 23 years until his retirement.  Frank lived briefly in Euless, Houston, Dallas, and in Garland for 9 years, and has lived in Corinth, TX the past 36 years.

Frank was known for his love for family and the numerous family bonding events at the Tyler ranch and New Year's celebrations at the Tyler home. He was known by many names Frankie, Red, Spoolie, Ralph,Tank,Uncle Frank, Dad and his favorite Grandpa and PawPaw.  He loved to travel and take his wife and sons, Brandon and Bryan, on adventurous trips. They took many ski trips to New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. They also took trips to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Jamaica, as well as, cruises to Key West and the Caribbean.  After retirement, he and his wife continued their love for cruising taking them to Alaska, Canada, Panama Canal, Tahiti, Mediterranean, and most recently cruises in South America, the Baltic, St. Petersburg and up the coast of Norway. There were also many trips with family and friends to South Padre,  Africa, Italy, Great Britain, Paris and the Normandy coast.

He loved to go dove hunting and having cookouts with his lifelong friends from Clifton.  He especially loved fishing with his wife and good friends. They took numerous fishing excursions all over the US, Alaska, and Canada.  His youngest grandson recently took up this love of fishing, so Frank took him on his first guided fishing trip for his 10th birthday this past August.  Frank also had an avid love of golf which took him all over Texas, the US, Costa Rica, and Scotland. He especially enjoyed playing golf with long time friends and the noon group at Oakmont Country Club.

His six grandchildren were very dear and important to him.  He loved all the family visits, and especially enjoyed attending all their many sporting events and other activities.  He was a true family man. Frank had a love for gardening, and would spend many mornings and evenings tinkering around in his garden with his many vegetables.  He has supplied the entire family with enough jalapenos for years!

He is survived by his wife Betty Lynn; two sons, Brandon Thomas and wife Christi Lee Compton of Denton, Bryan Alan and wife Theresa Catherine Minchew of Lufkin. Six grandchildren: Brady, Nathan, Corban of Denton, Cole, Heidie, and Chloe of Lufkin; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Ottis J.T. Tyler and Alle Mae Bertelsen; and his brother Ottis Jan Tyler.

He was diagnosed with MDS and Acute Myeloid Leukemia in October 2017.  He received treatment and care both through Dr. Mohammad Qasim of Denton Oncology and MD Anderson in Houston.  The family would like to thank Dr. Qasim and the excellent 4th floor nurses, doctors, and staff at Texas Health Presbyterian in Denton for the wonderful care they provided him and the family.  They would also like to thank Aspen Hospice for their incredible kindness and warmth during the last 10 days Frank spent at home.

The family will receive friends on Friday May 25, 2018 from 6-8 P.M. for visitation at DeBerry Funeral Directors, 2025 W. University Denton. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at Lake Cities United Methodist Church, 300 E Hundley Dr, Lake Dallas, officiated by Senior Pastor Beth Kellner.  The graveside service will follow at 3:00 P.M. in Clifton, TX at the Clifton Cemetery off Highway 6 followed by a light dinner and visitation at the fellowship hall of the United Methodist Church of Clifton.

Memorials in Frank's memory may be made to Lake Cities United Methodist Church or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.