Franklin Delano Tickle

Franklin Delano Tickle, Veteran United States Air Force, Abingdon, Virginia, 88, passed on December 7, 2024, at home with his wife, Kathy and granddaughter, Ashley at his side. 

Loving Husband of Mary Kathleen “Kathy” Bennington Tickle. Beloved son of the late, Charles Tickle Sr. and Anna Tickle (nee Hoback), and dear stepson of the late Francis Tickle.  

Preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Charles Jr., Billie, and Ellis.

Survived by his sister Florence Tickle Baker (Colin).  Loving Father of Annette Constantino (Carl), Christiana Tickle, Teresa Miller (William), and Elise Tickle. Stepfather of Eric Thomas (Brooke) and Rene’ Thomas, (Jonathan-deceased). Beloved Grandad of Joseph Constantino (Shelby), Julianna Constantino, Maxwell Horner, Zachary Horner, Natalie Miller, and Samantha Miller and great grandfather to James Constantino. Dear Step-Grandpa of Ireland Thomas, Hailey Thomas, Ashley Thomas, Cody Thomas- Hall, Zoey Thomas-Hall.

 Frank was born February 6, 1936, in Chattaroy, West Virginia.  His family moved shortly after to Wytheville, Virginia, where he was raised, and was a member of the large extended Tickle family of Bland and Wythe Counties, Virginia. Frank was a 1954 graduate of George Wythe High School, where he was a Maroons varsity letterman in football, baseball, and basketball and was an active member of the Choral Music Club. Frank enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduating from high school and served as a Jet Fuel Control Specialist on the F-86D Sabre Jet. After the Air Force Frank attended Emory and Henry College and East Tennessee State University. He then worked in retail management with the W. T. Grant’s department store and later the Polsky’s-Sterling Lindner chain in Akron, Ohio. Frank then worked for nearly 25 years as a Sales Manager for the West Bend company, based out of the Cleveland, Ohio area, until he retired. Frank moved to Huron, Ohio, where he met his wife, Kathy. Frank and Kathy moved to Abingdon in 2003. Frank enjoyed his later years in the mountains that he loved, tending to his gardens and hoping to see a bear in his hickory trees.  Frank will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. He was a talented teller of stories from his youth, the Air Force, and his business years; a self-taught master gardener, and a devoted football fan.

Thank you to MSA Home Health and Hospice and Dr. Bruce Higginbotham.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 12:00 P.M. at West End Cemetery with Pastor Eric Thomas officiating. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery by 11:45 A.M.

Frost Funeral Home & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Mr. Tickle