Claire Frank Asquith of Huntsville, Alabama passed away peacefully in his home March 16th, 2024, at the age of 92. His beloved wife of 66 years, Josie, was by his side. He was known as Frank to many, Dad to some, and Pawpaw to most.
Frank was the third of five children born to Elmer Claire Asquith and Bernice Mae Asquith and was raised in Selma, Alabama. He was a high achieving student and believed strongly in the importance of an education.
He served in the United States Air Force and then went to Tuscaloosa to pursue his higher education. It was there he met his bride, Josie, while she was in nursing school. They married, and Frank earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi. They had three daughters, Suanne, Glenda, and Sharon along the way. They moved seven times in their first five years of marriage before making Huntsville their home in 1962. They travelled as a family across the country camping and seeing sights during the girls’ vacations from school.
Frank worked at the U.S. Army Missile Command on the Arsenal and retired at the young age of 58. He continued to go to the annual gatherings to reminisce with fellow engineers until recently. Frank had a brilliant mind and did crosswords every day for fun, in ink. He was completing the New York Times crossword daily up until the last several months of his life.
Frank was a man of few words. He showed his love through acts of service. He was the handyman, repairman, and fixer of all things household and vehicle well into his eighties. He did what he said he would do, did what was needed of his family, and could be depended on to help out without fail when life’s circumstances got overwhelming.
Frank loved animals, especially dogs. He kept two at a time from the time his kids were teenagers and had one into his eighties. He loved his granddaughter’s dogs too and treated them as his own as they were always welcome at Sunday lunches.
Frank loved to fish both in the boat and on the dock at Lake Guntersville. He led an active lifestyle and walked miles every day into his early eighties. He was an avid Alabama fan and never missed a game on television. He could be found relaxing in his recliner watching just about any sport that was on as well as anything with animals, and Finding Bigfoot.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Asquith and Bernice Asquith, his daughter, Suanne Lewellyn, his granddaughter, Crystal Shackelton, his sister, Shirley Grimm, and his brothers, Bob Asquith and Don Asquith.
Frank is survived by his devoted wife, Josie Asquith; his daughters and their spouses, Glenda and Johnny Lawrence, and Sharon and Rob Beaird; his grandchildren and their spouses, Kelly Cothran, Brian and Susan Beaird, John Cothran and Veronica Prosser, Stephanie and Chris Teague, and Sarah Cothran; his great-grandchildren, Darcy, Ivy, Asher, Olivia, Norah, and Owen; his brother, James Asquith; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2024, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will immediately follow in the chapel with Pastor Jay Schugg officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Frank’s memory to Amedisys Hospice or Community Fellowship Baptist Church.
