Frank Hilton Grubbs

Frank H. Grubbs passed away on October 24, 2014. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Julia Anne (Judy), and is survived by his son, Geoffrey Hilton and wife, Christina, of Washington, D.C. and grandchildren Alison and Mark; daughter, Zoe Anne of Ham Lake, MN and grandchildren Tamara, Emily, and Katie, and great-grandsons Liam, Chase, great-granddaughter Felicia and great-great-granddaughter Klarissa; son Kevin Eugene and wife, Matilda, of Anchorage, AK, and grandchildren Samantha and Frank. Frank was born in Albuquerque on June 12, 1922, graduated from Albuquerque High in 1939, and the Western School for Private Secretaries in 1941. He was employed in the War Plans Division of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, Washington, D.C. until the outbreak of WWII when he enlisted in the Signal Corps and was commissioned in 1942. Landing in Normandy on Omaha Beach 1944, he served in the 3104th Signal Service Battalion in the European Theater until the end of hostilities. Upon return home, he was employed by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. He attended the University of New Mexico where he was active in the Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity, serving as chapter president and later as District President. In 1950 he received a BBA degree and an MBA from what is now the Anderson School of Management. In 1950 he married Julia Ann Rodgers and was employed by Sandia Corporation in the Accounting Department and later in the Business Methods Department. In 1955 he was appointed Manager of the Electronic Data Processing Department where he directed the installation and operation of the first large scale business computer in the western United States. In 1963, Frank resigned from Sandia Corporation to attend Seabury Western Theological Seminary where in 1966 he was awarded a M.Div. degree. Ordained Deacon in June 1966 at St. John's Cathedral, he served as Curate at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Midland, TX and was ordained to the Priesthood on December 23, 1966. In 1968 he accepted election as Rector of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in El Paso, TX. He served on the Standing Committee of the Diocese of the Rio Grande for eight years and was twice elected Deputy to General Convention. He was active in local affairs in El Paso, a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club, a director of the Arthritis Foundation and Heart Association, and established a runaway shelter for homeless youth. He also founded the Police Chaplain Program in El Paso. He retired in 1984, became a stockbroker, and was a Registered Investment Advisor until moving back to Albuquerque in 1993. After his service in WWII, Frank joined the New Mexico National Guard and was State Signal Officer on the staff of the Adjutant General for a number of years before transferring into the Army Reserve Corps where he was assigned to the Selective Service System. Serving a number of active duty tours at the National Headquarters of the System in Washington, he organized the conversion of the National Selective Service System to computer operation. Promoted to Colonel, he was named Commanding Officer of the El Paso Reserve Unit. He retired in 1982 after 41 years of service. In 2009 he resigned his Orders in the Episcopal Church and was confirmed in the Catholic Church. Family and Friends may visit Friday, October, 31, 2014, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at FRENCH - University, 1111 University Blvd NE. Service will be Saturday, November 1, 2014, 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas, 1502 Sara Rd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made in Franks honor to St. Thomas Aquinas, 1502 Sara Rd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.