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Franklin H.  "Frank" Gurd Obituary

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Franklin H. "Frank" Gurd

Burlington, NC

July 7, 2022

Franklin H. "Frank" Gurd Obituary

Franklin H. "Frank" Gurd

 

Franklin H Gurd, 79, of Elon NC, passed in his sleep and joined the Heavenly Chorus late on the Thursday July 7th.  Frank was born and raised in Baltimore MD by the late Clarence and Virginia Gurd.  While completing his bachelor's degree in Physics at the University of Maryland in 1966, he felt God's call into ministry.  Although he knew he couldn't preach, he realized he could serve through his talents and love of music.  Also the University of Maryland connected Frank with his wife Margaret.

Frank and Margaret moved from Maryland to Fort Worth, Texas where Frank earned a Bachelor of Church Music and Master of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1969.  He subsequently served as Minister of Music and Education for churches in four states. Though he left full-time ministry and moved to North Carolina in 1988, he continued to serve the Lord through music at First Baptist Church of Burlington. Frank worked as a medical laboratory technologist at LabCorp and Duke University Hospital before retiring in 2009.

Music was always an integral part of Frank's life in and out of the church.  On vacations, the family would often pass the time by singing in the car, including rounds.  Frank also enjoyed participating in Barbershop choruses in three states.  After retirement, he became active in the Greensboro Tarheel Chorus.  Whether in choir or in the chorus, he was a tireless recruiter and always quick to welcome, encourage and assist new or less confident singers.  While the boys were still at home, many Christmas evenings the family could be found caroling for friends.  Frank also played the accordion, sharing his talents most recently at Duke hospital laboratory Christmas meals and on a mission trip to Avery County.

Frank was known for his sense of humor, and his ever-ready ability to throw out an unexpected pun.   A lifetime reader, his literary interests ranged from ancient civilizations, to Science Fiction, to World War II. Frank led his family on numerous cross-country vacations. In the last twenty years he and Margaret were able to do a lot of traveling, visiting Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and many countries in Europe. He never met a stranger and was always ready to visit with someone in line, whether here, or in a foreign country.  He loved to share tomatoes from his garden, homemade chocolate eggs on Easter, and pass out the "good stuff" i.e., chocolate on Halloween   

Frank is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Margaret, son Paul in Reno, NV, son Peter and wife Katherine, and grandchildren, Hailey and Henry, in Atlanta, GA.

The family will receive friends at the Gathering Place of First Baptist Church of Burlington, from 10 to 11 AM on Monday, July 18.  A celebration of life will follow at 11.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Capital Budget of First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 2686, Burlington, NC 27216-2686.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Franklin H. "Frank" Gurd hosted by Rich and Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Franklin H. "Frank" Gurd.