Frank Nmi Del Rio

DEL RIO, FRANK NMI (1931 ~ 2023). The following is an obituary for Frank Del Rio. Del Rio was approved for burial at the Texas State Cemetery by the Cemetery Committee in 2009.

Frank Del Rio, age 91, of Austin, Texas, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2023. Frank was born on September 30, 1931, in Austin, to Joe and Mary Del Rio.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30am on Monday, September 25, 2023, at the Texas State Cemetery, located at 909 Navasota Street, Austin, Texas. Services of burial will be conducted jointly by the Military and the Austin Masonic Lodge.

Frank attended Austin schools and graduated from Austin High School, in 1949. He attended the University of Texas, and then, volunteered in the United States Air Force, where he was stationed at various bases and served in North Africa for three years. He was honorably discharged in 1955.

In 1954, he married Betty Ruth Alexander, and they were blessed with two daughters, Dianne and Denise. He attended and graduated from Texas State University, formerly Southwest Texas State University, in 1959, with a Bachelor of Administration Degree. He worked for the State Department of Water Resources and was a licensed member of the Federal Accountants Association. He was appointed Chairman of the Texas Water Well Drillers Board, by Governor Mark White, as an elected state official. Frank was also president of the Texas Public Employees Association and vice president of The Texas State Agency Business Administrators’ Association. He retired from the Employees Retirement System, as the Benefits Director, and then worked for the City of Austin.

Frank was a proud 65-year-member, of the Austin Masonic Lodge No. 12, and held a 32nd Degree. He proudly received his 50 year membership pen, along with his father, in 2007.

Frank was a faithful servant and honored God in the way he lived his life. He was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church, Westlake United Methodist Church, and Tarrytown United Methodist Church.

Frank never met a stranger and had many friends in the Westlake community. He spent his time daily, at Randall’s, at 10:00a, at the “Bums’ table drinking coffee, with his cherished friends. He enjoyed watching football, hunting, fishing, playing golf, and eating a delicious meal. He was a devoted Papa/Pancho to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Mary Del Rio, and a sister, Virginia Grote. He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Betty Ruth; his daughter Dianne Littleton and her husband, Randy Littleton; his daughter, Denise Murphy and her husband, Kevin Murphy; his grandson Ryan Murphy, and his wife, Krystal, and their children, Maddox Alexander and Gavin James; his granddaughter, Lauren Ridley, and her husband, Jake Ridley, and their children, Georgia Ruth and David Joseph. Frank is also survived by his nephew, Butch Grote, and his wife, Debbie; his niece, Sherri Bernstein, and her husband Ron.

Frank will be fondly remembered for his passion for life, as he brought joy to all people he encountered. He will be dearly missed and never forgotten, as his legacy will continue to live through the many lives he touched. He was a talented storyteller, who had a generous heart, and he made many positive contributions over the course of his lifetime.