Frank Martin Love

Frank M. Love

December 24, 1935 – September 7, 2017

A Celebration of the Life of Frank M. Love will be held Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the Monterey Baptist Church, 12501 Lomas Blvd NE, with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m., the service at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception. Conducting the service will be Dr. Claude Cone, a childhood friend of Frank's.

After living a relatively long, very happy and fun-filled life with plenty of adventure, Frank bravely faced the diagnosis of ALS, living the last year of his life and leaving us under his own terms.

Born December 24, 1935 to Elmer and Rose Elliott Love in Estancia, he grew up in Moriarty. He loved sports and any kind of competition for the rest of his life. After graduation he received Bachelor and Masters degrees from Eastern New Mexico University, working and participating in athletics throughout. In 1957 he began a 27-year career with Albuquerque Public Schools. Many of his students and athletes at Hodgin Elementary, Monroe Junior High, and Del Norte High remained close friends and were a very important part of his life, providing great support this year.

Named the first head basketball coach for the opening of Del Norte in 1964, he met Judy Bearden who moved here when hired to be a member of the new faculty. They married on June 3, 1967 in Juarez, Mexico, preferring a trip around the world to a formal wedding. Thus began 50 years of travel, eventually indulging themselves in exotic destinations, hoping to learn as much about a place and its people as they could. They wanted to be travelers, not tourists ... to make voyages, not just take cruises. They were blessed to have visited and experienced over 200 countries together, loving every minute. They celebrated 50 wonderful years together 3 months before his passing.

After retiring at age 48, Frank immersed himself in volunteer work with interesting people he enjoyed being with. During 49 years as an Elk, he was Exalted Ruler of Albuquerque Lodge #461, then the third largest Lodge in the country with nearly 6,000 members, in 1978-79; appointed District Deputy in 1982; was named an Honorary Life Member, and later served as NM State President 1987-88.

He honed his skills as a leather craftsman and taught a Leather Craft class at Palo Duro Senior Center for 17 years. For 33 years he volunteered at the VA Medical Center, supporting Elks' projects and services there. He loved an organization called The Westerners dedicated to preserving the history, art, culture, and folklore of the West. He served two terms as Sheriff and was named an Honorary Life Member.

Frank and Judy became involved in Albuquerque Sister Cities, as Life Members, early in the organization's inception and made the first official visit to the first Sister City, Sasebo, Japan in 1967. They believed strongly in the mission and enjoyed participation in the Albuquerque Council for International Visitors, now known as Global Ties, for many years. Volunteering at athletic events and with Visit Albuquerque! was a source of pleasure.

He was a faithful fan of the Dallas Cowboys from the inception of the franchise and was a subscriber to their magazine The Star until its last issue was published in January 2017. He enjoyed participating in rodeo from his youth until he broke his tailbone (ouch!) as a bullrider in NM State Fair Competition and decided that remaining a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys of America and enjoying the National Finals for many years in Oklahoma City and Las Vegas was enough.

For many other organizations, Frank was a dedicated volunteer. He participated in both individual and team sports and coached basketball in Senior Sports and participated at three National (then) Senior Olympics competitions.

He believed that "Volunteering is the price we pay for the space we take up here on Earth" -­Muhammed Ali

His parents and a favorite uncle, Lee Elliott of Estancia preceded him. And he is survived by Judy, a brother Jim of Portales, a nephew Scott Love and niece Lori Craig both of Amarillo, and their wonderful families.

Those wishing may donate to a DNHS Alumni Scholarship in Frank's name. Send checks to Alum Knights, P.O. Box 93056, ABQ., 87199 or donate online at www.AlumKnights.info. Or remember Frank with a gift to the Albuquerque Community Foundation