Francis "Frank" Scherich

Francis "Frank" Dorwin Scherich was loved by his family, friends, brethren and all who knew him worldwide.  He loved people and he loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. He was a faithful and dedicated minister of Jesus Christ for 35 years.

He was born March 17, 1934 in Wind Ridge “Jacktown,” Pennsylvania as the youngest child of Herbert Paul and Ruby Durbin Scherich. He grew up in his mother’s childhood home and helped out on the farm. He was responsible for tending the sheep, which prepared him for being a shepherd of God’s people. He graduated from Richhill High School and attended Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania.  Annually, he would return to his birthplace and the green rolling hills and tall trees of his beloved Greene County.

His childhood friend, Patricia R. Burns, became his wife on May 12, 1955. They reared six children and enjoyed 50 years together before her passing in 2005.

One of Frank’s greatest passions was flying.  He served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force for six years, until he was called by God and was baptized in April of 1959. After leaving the Air Force, he worked as a flight instructor in Pennsylvania and Ohio teaching numerous students to obtain their private pilot’s license and was also a charter pilot.  He also taught two of his sons, Fran and Barry, how to fly. He was employed in the early ‘70’s as a pilot for the Worldwide Church of God in Pasadena, California and Big Sandy, Texas. When he accepted a job as a private pilot in the Austin area, he moved his family to Liberty Hill, Texas where he lived for 39 years.

In 1980, he was ordained a minister in Church of God, International and pastored several churches in central Texas over the years. When he became an Area Coordinator, his responsibilities increased to supervising congregations throughout portions of the central part of the country, necessitating long hours of travel. He loved teaching others about God and was doing so right up until his passing. This included travelling a long distance every week in order to lead a bible study.

Family was also a priority for Frank, and some of his greatest joys came from family gatherings where interesting conversation, food, and card games were a family tradition. His life experiences, love for travel, and extensive knowledge on just about any subject became the fodder for fascinating stories.

He was a voracious reader with an extensive library, as well as an amateur astronomer.  His innovative mind enabled him to figure out or fix just about any mechanical or technical problem. His skill for carpentry was often employed in enhancing not only his own home, but other’s as well, even to the extent of building a home for his son. He was happiest when he was using his talents to help others.

He was an avid Star Trek fan and enjoyed many other pursuits, but two years ago he discovered a new passion—a white Scottish terrier he named Buddy who became his travel buddy and constant companion.  He now had a partner to share his zest for life, adventure and new discoveries.

He was warm, loving, generous, compassionate, kind, considerate, humorous, and a true gentleman.  He loved life and he seemed to have found the proper balance in order to fully enjoy it. He was known for his smile, laughter, and positive outlook.

His life was devoted to serving God, his family, and others. Faithful to the end, he finished his course on Thursday, October 1, 2015. He was dearly loved by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife; three infant children: Laura Lee, Scott Durbin and Michael Jones; one infant granddaughter, Allison McCammon; his parents; and siblings: Herbert Paul Scherich Jr. and Christine Staggers.

Survivors include: three sons, Fran Scherich, Jr. and wife, Sharon, of Grapevine Texas; Randy and wife, Mary, of Leander, Texas; and Barry of Mart, Texas; three daughters, Becky Tate and husband, John, of New Caney, Texas; Debbie McCammon and husband, Phil, of Leander, Texas; and Sherry Evans and husband, David, of Georgetown, Texas; 17 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.