DR. FRANKLIN KING EGGLESTON
1942-2021
Dr. Franklin King Eggleston was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on July 25, 2021, at the age of 78 years. Frank was born in Houston on December 4, 1942, to Floyd Geer Eggleston and Josephine King Eggleston. Other than his years attending Texas Christian University, Baylor College of Dentistry and serving as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy as a medical officer, he remained a lifelong resident of West University Place, having moved only a block away from his childhood home during his lifetime.
Frank loved his family more than anything except his Lord. Frank is survived by his cherished wife, Sara Offutt Eggleston, with whom he shared the greatest of life’s adventures, and daughter, Camille Eggleston Hailey, an attorney and Clinical Assistant Professor for the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. Camille and husband David are the parents of Frank and Sara’s precious grandchildren, Sara Elizabeth Hailey, Joshua
King Hailey, and Rebekah May Hailey. Frank was a devoted fan of all of the grandchildren’s numerous athletic events. Frank and Sara had a love story for the ages. Frank was a 39-year-old bachelor when he met Sara and her 16-year-old daughter, Camille. He believed God had answered his prayers for a family and a mutual decision was made for him to formally adopt Camille in 1986.
Frank loved his Houston, having attended West University Elementary, Pershing Junior High and Lamar High School. He then earned a double degree in Biology and Chemistry from TCU and his DDS from Baylor College of Dentistry. Frank then chose a commission in the US Navy where he served aboard the USS Sierra. After serving 3 years in the US Navy, Frank returned to Houston to practice dentistry with his childhood dentist and mentor, Dr. Ralph Boelsche, in the Niels Esperson Building which is the actual building where his parents first met around 1940. After Dr. Boelsche’s passing, Frank continued to serve and love patients for over 35 years through his dental practice in downtown Houston. After retiring from dentistry, he was able to return to his love for the sea and had many grand adventures with Sara sailing to various ports around the world.
Dr. Eggleston was a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, the Gold Foil Academy, and the Academy of Operative Dentistry. He served as President of numerous dental organizations including The American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, The Texas Dental Association, The Greater Houston Dental Society,
The Academy of Operative Dentistry, the Southwestern Society of Oral Medicine,
The Southwest Academy of Restorative Dentistry, the International College - Texas Section, and The Baylor College of Dentistry Alumni Association.
Dr. Eggleston was selected by the Texas Academy of General Dentistry as Dentist of the Year and awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Texas Dental Association, recognizing a lifetime of service especially significant to the organization. Additional awards include Alumnus of the Year for Baylor College of Dentistry and twice serving as commencement speaker for The University of Texas Health Science Center - Houston, where he periodically taught Restorative Dentistry and Gold Foil Technique. He also gave a commencement address for the graduates of his beloved Baylor College of Dentistry. Representing Texas, Dr. Eggleston served on the Board of Trustees of the American Dental Association from 1999-2003. After selling his dental practice, he was an international speaker on nutrition for the Juice
Plus company. He also earned numerous awards with the Juice Plus company, including rising to be a National Marketing Director. Frank was also on the board of several charitable organizations, including the Retina Research Foundation, a medical foundation researching causes and prevention of blindness. Frank served as chairman of the Retina Research Foundation from 2007 until his death.
Dr. Frank loved God, his family and his friends. Throughout his life Frank studied and led Bible classes. He served as a Deacon in his church and was a member of the Houston West Emmaus Community, Walk 91. To know Frank, to simply be in his presence, was to feel welcomed and loved. That was his heart…. to love people as they were, to let them know that they mattered to him. He will be deeply missed.
A memorial service for Dr. Frank Eggleston is planned for August 10, 2021, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church located at 3471 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77027. There is a family only inurnment at 9:30am. Friends and family are invited to attend the Memorial Service at 10am in the Main Sanctuary, officiated by Senior Pastor Dr. Tom Pace and prayers offered by Bishop Scott Jones and Dr. Linda Christians. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Retina Research Foundation, the Nick Finnegan Counseling Center at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, or Houston Hospice.