Franklin Doane Handley

Franklin Doane Handley, age 87, of New Port Richey, passed away on July 4, following a lingering illness.

Frank was blessed with a large family:

• His beloved wife Irene, his son Chris and wife Angela, stepsons Jaster, John, Lin, Doug, Chris, Dennis and Kelvin and stepdaughter Lisa.
• And grandchildren: Bryan, Christina, Grace, Meredith, Kendrix, Kristen Ysabel, and many great-grandchildren.

Born on February 28, 1938, in Sacramento, California, he was the son of Doane William and Zelma Doon Handley.

Following his graduation from high school, he served in the U.S. Air Force, where he developed a lifelong love for airplanes and flying. He enjoyed flying his own plane and worked as a commercial pilot. He also served for many years as an airplane mechanic.

When his health prevented him from flying, he turned to a hobby of building radio-controlled model airplanes and flying them. He belonged to radio-controlled plane flying clubs in Tennessee and Florida.

Frank was a born-again Christian and a member of the Harmony Baptist Church in Jonesborough, Tennessee.

A celebration of life and military interment is being planned for Frank at a date yet to be determined.

His wife Irene was blessed to be sleeping by his side on the evening of July 4, when Frank flew his final mission into heaven, complete with fireworks seeming to celebrate his long life.

In the kind of pilot language that Frank would definitely understand:

>>> Our message to Frank: “Bravo Zulu, Frank! (mission well done!)”

>>> And Frank’s response to us: “Roger, Wilco, and Out! (I received your message, I understand it, and that’s all I have to say.)”