Obituary

Bass, Robert Frank

Robert Frank Bass, was born May 7, 1923, in a farmhouse east of Kress, in the Texas Panhandle, and departed this earth April 25, 2017 here in Plainview. His family farmed, and were early adopters of irrigation from the vast Ogallala underground water strata. He graduated from Kress High School in 1940, and was inducted into the Army Air Force during World War II. He was assigned to B-24 bombers, and fought his war in the Pacific, from air bases in such places as Biak and Okinawa. He returned home and worked as a welder while farming his father's land. His reputation as a skilled welder was attributed to his uncle, J.O. Bass, the famed "spur maker" of Tulia. He met my mom on a double date, and although he was with the other lady, he later confided, he realized he was "chasing the wrong rabbit," an error he soon corrected. Mom and Dad were married Aug. 8, 1948. I came along Sept. 3, 1949, followed in roughly two-year increments by my siblings Mark, Jon and Melinda. Dad is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Wanda, who now resides at Westridge Manor, a brother Don, of Conroe, four children (Bob and Robin of Austin, Mark and Lynn of Irving, Jon and Cheryl of Quarterway, and Melinda and John Lins-Morstadt, of Marysville, Washington.) 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren will be Franks enduring legacy.

Dad did a lot of the heavy lifting in our farm community of Kress, serving as baseball commissioner for our Little League, Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts, and Superintendent of Sunday School for First Baptist Kress. In later years, he and Mom moved to Plainview, and there they served as precinct chairs in the Democratic Party, and served as election judges for many years. He was a Deacon Plainview First Baptist.

Dad was a great farmer, but banker demands to "get big or get out" led him to borrow too much money, only to have the bank decide not to refinance him in the farm crisis of the early 1980s. Dad could have utilized bankruptcy law to restructure his debt, but his sense of honor required him to pay his debts, even at the cost of his family land. So, Dad 'retired' from farming, and found work on the janitorial staff at Wayland Baptist College. There, he applied the same pride of workmanship to the janitorial job as he had in working his own land. When a job driving Wayland students to athletic events, choir performances, or myriad other student activities came along, Dad became the "go to guy," driving Wayland buses something like a million safe miles all over the United States and into Canada. He was known as "Iron Frank" for his ability to drive trip after trip without complaint, and "Daddy Frank" to countless Wayland students who found not only a driver who delivered them safely, but also took care of them in other ways, with humor, patience and wisdom.

When Dad reached 80, he hung up the bus keys and the driving duties, but continued to serve Wayland as campus postmaster. He was admitted to the Wayland Hall of Honor in tribute to his more than twenty years of service to the school he considered his alma mater. An endowment fund in honor of Frank and Wanda Bass has been established at Wayland, and he was brought to tears by the idea that students needing aid would be benefitted by a scholarship in their name. (Contributions are encouraged at Wayland Baptist University, Office of Advancement, 1900 W. Seventh St, CMB 1295, Plainview, TX. 79072)

Dad's life has been one of quiet dignity. He was respected by all who know him, and as a couple, Frank and Wanda Bass are loved by an entire community. But all good things must end, and sadly, Dad has now gone on to eternal glory. He faced death as quietly, and with the same stoic grace he faced all prior difficulty. He was without fear, and was eager to greet his Lord and Savior, but fought stubbornly to remain with the woman he loved so deeply and sweetly the last 68 years.

Your prayers are humbly requested, for God's merciful release from a failing body, and for my Mom, and for the passage of a great, if quiet, American Hero. I am reminded of the scene from "To Kill a Mockingbird," as Atticus Finch left the courtroom . . . "Miss Jean Louise, stand up, your father is passing."

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 28, 2017, in the First Baptist Church with Dr. Travis Hart of Lubbock officiating and Mr. Danny Andrews assisting. Burial will follow in Plainview Cemetery under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview.