George Franklin “Frank” Suddreth Sr., 87 years old, of Mint Hill, NC passed away in the early hours of May 20, 2022. Frank was born in Charlotte, NC on August 13, 1934 to the late Guy Everett Suddreth, Sr. and Catherine Harris Suddreth.

 

Frank was a graduate of the class of 1952 at Tech High School in Charlotte where he played football and was named as an All-County guard. He also attended Presbyterian College on a football scholarship until he withdrew due to an injury he received while playing football. In 1954, Frank joined the US Air Force graduating from their Electronics School, however he was Honorably Discharged due to the neck injury sustained while playing football at Presbyterian College.

 

As a child, alongside his father, he worked in the family grocery business “Staton's” on North Davidson Street and continued there after returning from the Air Force, later becoming manager of the store until 1971 when the store was sold. In 1972, he was employed by Associated Grocers Mutual and later served as General Manager until 1982. In 1983, he was hired by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture as the first Manager of the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market and continued there until his retirement in 2012 at the age of 77, after 30 years of service. Frank also worked in-field security at the races held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC for many years.

 

He served on the Johnson YMCA Board, and was a Paul Harris Fellow and Sergeant-at-Arms of the Charlotte North Rotary Club with over 40 years of perfect attendance. Beginning in 1972, and for over 40 years, Frank was instrumental in staging Charlotte's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He was a member of the Epworth Class at Hickory Grove United Methodist Church also serving as class president in the past.

 

Frank left us with these words:

“All I’ll do is ask you to keep an open mind at all times. Try to accept change with a good attitude. Don’t ever make a mistake that you can’t straighten out before you go to bed. Life is short, so make every day count. Remember what you can do for other people, you will have more out of it, you will have more glory for yourself than what you are dishing out to other people and you will feel good about it.”

 

Frank was married to his high school sweetheart, Mary Griffith Suddreth, for 57 years who preceded him in death. In addition to his parents and wife, preceding Frank in his death were his eldest son, George Franklin Suddreth Jr.; his brothers, Guy Everett Suddreth Jr. and David C. Suddreth Sr; and his second wife, Sara Elliott.

 

He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Mr. Suddreth is survived by his sons, Tom Suddreth and wife Gail McComb Suddreth and Mike Suddreth and wife Barbara Sue Pope Suddreth of Charlotte; his grandchildren, Jennifer Brittingham (Jason) of Winston-Salem, NC, Brandi Jernigan (Jason) of Lexington, SC, Andrea Arbenz (John), Edwin Suddreth (Cheri) of Indian Trail, NC, Justin Suddreth and Elizabeth Suddreth both of Charlotte, NC; his great-grandchildren, Jonah Brittingham, David Arbenz, Carmen Rogers, Jana Brittingham, Madelyn Arbenz, Josiah Brittingham, Jackson Arbenz, Paxton Suddreth, Skylar Suddreth, Andrew Arbenz, and Gavin Arbenz; his brother, Richard Suddreth and wife Brenda; and sisters-in-laws, Trudy Suddreth of Charlotte and June Suddreth of Fort Mill, SC; along with numerous nieces and nephews.