Samuel Elias Frankhouser

Samuel Elias Frankhouser, 76, died Monday, February 17, 2014 from a rare biliary cancer. He was a native of Pennsylvania. He was a kind, gentle, talented and creative man who found the good in nearly everyone he met. He was a lifelong singer, starting when he was eight years old, singing in his local Methodist church. He sang in many church choirs throughout his life including St. John's Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL; St. Paul's by the Sea Episcopal Church, Jacksonville Beach, FL; St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson, MS and Grace Episcopal Church, Gainesville, GA. In addition to singing in church choirs, Sam also sang in several Barbershop Harmony choruses and quartets. He was a charter member of the Big Orange Chorus in Orange Park, FL. He also sang in the Jackson MS, Stone Mountain and Blairsville chapters, before finding a home with the North Georgia Barbershop Singers in Cumming. He also was a member of the Sautee Nacoochee Community Chorale in Sautee, GA. While living in Jacksonville, FL, Sam was active in several community theaters including Players by the Sea, Orange Park Community Theater and Theater Jacksonville. He was just as happy working behind the scenes as he was directing or on stage as an actor. One of his favorite hobbies was camping, always seeking out wooded campsites. He loved to sit by the campfire with friends, or alone late at night reading and smoking his pipe. Sam served in the US Army in Army Intelligence, worked for the FBI, and later worked for F.W. Dodge Reports division of McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Jack and sister Dona. He is survived by his best friend and wife Nancy, nieces Jennifer Page and Michelle Hutchings, nephews John Frankhouser, Dan and Kevin Page. A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville, GA, Sunday, March 2nd at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sam's name to Grace Episcopal Church, 422 Brenau Ave., Gainesville, GA 30501, or to a charity of your choice.