Frank M Mcduff Jr

Frank McDuff, Jr.

Frank McDuff, 83, joined his heavenly Father on June 6, 2023. Frank, “Bubba”, or “Pa-Paw” to his grand- and great-grandchildren, was truly an extraordinary man who loved deeply and exemplified an unwavering devotion to his family and an enduring strong work ethic.

Frank was born on April 11, 1940 in Fort Worth, Texas to Frank Metze and Kathryn Renfro McDuff. His commitment to his family and his drive to work became evident as a child. When times were tight, he helped his family by initially working paper routes, and then later, clerking at a grocery store in his teens.

Frank also spent quality time with his younger brother, Gary Clinton. He and Gary each paid a 6¢ fare to ride the bus to downtown Fort Worth to visit their father working at Leonard's Department Store. When Frank was tall enough to drive a car, Frank allowed Gary to take the steering wheel while he operated the gas pedal and brake. In high school, Frank’s passion for cars led him to the drag races every weekend, and his appreciation of cars lasted throughout his life.

Frank attended Polytechnic Senior High School, graduating in 1958, and he later attended TCU and Arlington State College. He married Sherry Lynell Wagoner in 1959 and had two daughters, Shelley Denese and Sheila Renee. While Frank initially worked other jobs, in 1969, he went into business with George Lane, forming Lane-McDuff Sales Co. Through hard work and long hours, Frank and George grew the business and Lane-McDuff Sales became a success.

While managing a demanding career, Frank built a wonderful life for his family. When he took ownership of the family lot at Lake Weatherford, he worked tirelessly to upgrade the house, maintain the property, and create fun experiences for his extended family. Some of his daughters’ and nieces’ fondest memories are swimming, water skiing, boating, jetskiing, riding mini bikes, playing pinball, fishing from the dock, and shooting fireworks at the lake.

In July 1982, Frank married Marsha Cay McNiel, and Marsha Cay’s son, Christopher Shane, was 12 years old. Frank and Marsha Cay shared many travels together and enjoyed snow skiing with friends, yet most of their 40 years of marriage were centered on spending time with their family.

Frank was also a constant for his parents, caring for them in many ways throughout their lives. He not only ensured their needs were met, but he sought ways to make their lives happier. Frank and Marsha Cay took them to Las Vegas in their later years which they enjoyed immensely.

As an accomplished businessman, Frank sold his interest in Lane-McDuff Sales to George in 1996, and in 2003, he acquired the Lane-McDuff rental properties which supported Frank and his family throughout the remainder of his life.

Frank was incredibly selfless. Everything he did was driven by his love and commitment to his family and friends, and he was rarely idle. Frank always stepped up to help anyone in need. He was a skilled handyman, and he continually had a project going.

Frank also had a mischievous sense of humor and a contagious laugh. Over the years, he liked playing golf, snow skiing, water skiing, traveling, driving his Corvette, riding his golf cart around his neighborhood, planting gardens, and making daily Costco runs, but mostly, spending time with loved ones.

Frank is greatly missed, and his family will continue his loving legacy until we are reunited with him again!

Survivors: Spouse Marsha Cay McDuff of Southlake, Texas; Daughters Shelley Brazil and husband Robert of Keller, Texas, and Sheila Weller and husband Rich of Keller, Texas; Granddaughter Shaye Whitmire, and grandsons Braydn Brazil, Chance Brazil and wife Morgan, Landyn Howze and wife Mirielle, and Andrew Weller; Great-grandchildren Parker, Cole, and Brennyn Whitmire, Hazel Beth and Carson Brazil, and Sloane Howze. In addition, nieces, cousins, a sister-in-law, and very dear friends were deeply blessed to have Frank in their lives.

Preceded by: Frank’s parents Frank and Kathryn McDuff, brother Gary McDuff, grandson Jared Howze, stepson Christopher McNiel, and many family members and friends who have welcomed him home.

Best of all, Frank gifted us with stories of his life in his own words:

I was born April 11, 1940 in Fort Worth at Harris Hospital to Frank Metze and Kathryn Renfro McDuff. Mom and Dad could not agree on a name for me in the beginning. Mother named me Gary Clinton, and Dad got upset and wanted me to be Frank Jr. My name was changed to Frank Metze McDuff, Jr. after we left the hospital.

The name ‘Metze’ came from a country doctor who promised my grandfather to buy my father a new suite of clothes on each of his birthdays; however, he never followed through on his promise.

Dad was 27 years old and Mother was 23 years old when I was born. We lived at 1400 Fairmont in the beginning and then moved to a duplex at 1700 Galveston. Dad was unemployed at the time, and Mother worked at Williamson & Dickie, folding shirts for 25 cents per hour. Mother had to walk to work because we did not have a car.

I remember standing on the sidewalk waiting for Mother to bring Gary home from the hospital in an ambulance. I was 2½ years old at the time. That is my earliest memory.

Mother’s parents were Eula Dent Bradley and her father was James Henry Renfro. Mother had one brother by the name of LeCreath.

Dad’s parents were John Thomas McDuff and Florence Bellazora Hoffman who married 1/18/1898. They had seven children. My dad was a twin. His twin only lived one day. She was a girl named Frances.

Dad got a job working at Globe Laboratories in Fort Worth, and he also worked at the Public Health Hospital at night.

We moved to 521 East Marion Street in Morningside area of Ft. Worth. The house payment was $13.00 per month. Dad got a job at Leonard’s Department store, loading customer cars on the sidewalk. Later on, he was promoted to Assistant Manager of the floor covering department. We went through some hard times financially then. I got a paper route when I was 11 years old with 26 customers. I later on moved to another route with 100 customers. I made one dollar a day with this paper route.

Gary and I went to Morningside Elementary School. I was appointed as Captain of the Patrol Boys which was a great honor. I was also made the outstanding Patrol Boy for Fort Worth.

I went to Daggett Junior High School in the 7th grade. I would walk several miles to school.

We bought a house at 5133 Malinda Lane in the Meadowbrook area. The house payment was $39.00 per month. The house was owned previously by a man by the name of Johnny Hay who drew cartoons on TV at Channel 5.

I started to school at Meadowbrook Junior High School in the 8th grade. I got a job working at Berry Street Super Market on East Lancaster Street. I made 65 cents per hour. I learned a lot working there. The manager let me check out customers, stock shelves, work the produce area, and mop floors. The other kids all wanted my job. The other grocery stores paid about 35 cents per hour. I worked in Arlington as well as Berry Street in Fort Worth.

When I graduated from high school, I went to TCU to study pre-med. School was $15 per semester hour back then. I could not afford another semester and started at Arlington State College.

I married Sherry Lynell Wagoner on March 21, 1959. We had two daughters, Shelley Denese born April 14, 1961, and Sheila Renee born May 3, 1963. Sherry got a job at Cooks Paint store. She met Aletia Lane, and they became close friends. I became friends with Aletia’s spouse, George. George and I went into business, forming Lane-McDuff Sales Co. in 1969. I sold my interest in Lane-McDuff Sales to George in December 1996; however, this did not include the buildings in Fort Worth and Abilene. Lane-McDuff Sales was leasing the property at both locations. In January 2003, I purchased the rental properties from George, and this purchased all of George Lane’s interest in the property.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Three Oaks Hospice ( www.threeoakshospice.com ) or a charity of your choice.