Frank Don Moates, 93, of Glen Rose, Texas, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023. He was born on August 24, 1930, to Ava Hobbs and Charlie Moates in Colorado City, Texas.
Frank was devoted to his family as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Haveman, son, David, daughter-in-law, Marla, and daughter, Judi Stallings. He will also be deeply missed by grandchildren, Avery, Marissa, Adam and Erin Stallings, Jeffrey and Kelsie Stallings, great-granddaughters, Emma and Peyton Stallings, and many nieces and nephews.
Frank attended Beaumont High School. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Austin in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in physical education. He went on to obtain a Master’s degree in School Administration from the University of North Texas and continued there working on his doctorate.
Frank loved sports and played league baseball and basketball as a young man. He began his coaching career while still in high school by starting a youth flag football team at a Beaumont elementary school. A die-hard Longhorn fan, you seldom saw him without a UT ball cap.
Frank’s love of sports was equal to his passion for education. His first position was in 1953 as a coach at Academy High School in Academy, Texas followed by Stark High School in Orange, Texas. He went on to coach at Burleson High School, later becoming a counselor and then Assistant Superintendent. In 1971, he became the Superintendent of Schools in Malakoff, Texas. In 1974, he moved to De Soto where he was Superintendent of Schools for De Soto ISD until 1990.
He worked for the Texas Education Agency and Texas School Board Association, finishing his career as interim Superintendent in Glen Rose. Whether in the classroom, on the court, in the board room or the hallways, Frank always led with kindness and positivity. He believed in hiring the best people and letting them do their job. In video created for Frank’s retirement celebration, an elementary student was interviewed who said, “I’ll miss Mr. Moates. He’s my friend.” In 1988, Frank D. Moates Elementary School opened with 31 classes to serve 500 students in the Glen Heights section of De Soto ISD.
Frank’s greatest loves were his family and his faith. He met his wife, Cynthia, while teaching at Stark High School. Married for 68 years, theirs was a match made in heaven. He was devoted to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, loving nothing more than having the house full of love and laughter. Frank was also a man of great faith, eager to share with everyone he met. He often carried scripture cards in his truck and pocket, leaving them on the table at a restaurant, a chair at the infusion center or handing them to a cashier at the grocery store. Frank and Cynthia participated in numerous mission trip, sharing their faith with those in Russia, Africa, Poland, Ecuador, and Brazil. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Glen Rose, where he worshipped and served as a deacon.