Roy F. "Frank" McDermed, son of Ray and Elizabeth (Strong) McDermed, was born June 22, 1932 in Phillips County, Kansas and passed away January 13, 2013 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas at the age of 80.
Frank completed eight years of grade school in rural Phillips County at Gretna, Kansas and graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1949.
In 1952 he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served until his honorable discharge in 1956, with three of those years being stationed in Germany with the 69th/10th Security Group.
On May 19, 1957 Frank was united in marriage to Nancy Tackwell in Phillipsburg. To this union five daughters were born: Peggy, Marla, Connie, Kelli and Kandi.
Frank farmed near Gretna while working full-time at Boogaart's Supermarket in Phillipsburg for 35 years. He was a devoted husband and father and never missed any of his girls', grandkids' or great-grandkids' school or sporting events. He also served on the Arcade Township Board for many years until moving out of that township and into Phillipsburg in 2009.
In his spare time he enjoyed hunting and fishing and each year looked forward to attending his Air Force reunion. Before he became ill in October of 2012, Frank spent his retirement days working in his garage on special woodworking projects or having coffee with his buddies at the Branding Iron II and the Gretna Elevator. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Ray & Elizabeth McDermed.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and daughters, Marla and Kandi, of the home; daughters Peggy Fabin & husband, Tom, Connie Capps & husband, Melvin, and Kelli Brandon & husband, Jack, all of Phillipsburg; six grandchildren: Kim Bui & husband, Nga, Jessica Campbell & husband, David, and Rachel and Emily Brandon, all of Phillipsburg; Mike Fabin & Tasha Pulec of Hays, KS and Jacque Runyon & husband, Guy, of Kirwin, KS; nine great-grandchildren: Thomas, Michaela and Jeremiah Bui; Kaycee and Kyle Campbell and Blake Fabin, all of Phillipsburg; Madyson and Lilyan Runyon of Kirwin; and Breckin Fabin of Hays. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Vickie Barg & husband, Loren, of Lincoln, NE; brother-in-law, Bill Tackwell & wife, Dee, of Hastings, NE; and four nephews and two nieces, all of Nebraska.
Funeral services will be held Wed., Jan. 16, at 2:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Gary Davison officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.
Visitation will be today from 5 - 9 p.m. and Tues. from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Phillipsburg City Library or the Phillipsburg United Methodist Church.