BURNET, Texas – Frank Fickett a successful real estate investor and developer, a giving gentlemen, friend and leader, went home to be with the Lord, Oct. 31, 2009, surrounded by love. He was born July 12, 1921, in New Haven, Conn., to Alan and Grace Fickett. After graduating from high school in Hamden, Conn., he enlisted with the U.S. Army and attended Officer Candidate School and became an officer with the U.S. Army. In 1988, when Frank Fickett stopped to inquire about a house for sale, it was a moment that would have a lasting impact on the Texas Hill Country City of Burnet, Texas. The house was the first in a series of real estate purchases that have changed the face and possibly the future of the town. Frank found his way to Burnet, Texas, from California, where he was a real estate agent and developer. When he first came to Burnet, Texas, he was known as “Our Guardian Angel,” “Uncle Frank” and “Santa Claus.” He focused on the Burnet, Texas, area because of the railroad and he wanted something good for the city of Burnet, Texas. He contributed the land and was a big supporter in development of Burnet Train Depot located on Jackson Street where the Hill Country Flyer stops. The Austin Steam Train first came to Austin, Texas, in 1871. He contributed to the Austin Steam Train Association and was instrumental in the return of the train in 1991. The inaugural weekend of Hill Country Flyer was the weekend of July 25-26, 1992. Frank was a big supporter of Boy Scouts of America. He was a CAC executive board member and once said, “Investing in the children of today’s environment is very important to me.” He was once a Boy Scout himself and enjoyed earning merit badges; “I had great fun being a Scout while growing up in Connecticut.” He was a great supporter and contributor to Austin (Texas) Capitol Area Council where he broke ground on Frank Fickett Scout Service Center, in 2005. He was a supporter for Wolf Mountain Ranch Facility, Llano, Texas. Frank received the Silver Beaver Award from Capitol Area Council, Feb. 3, 2006. He was instrumental in the development of the Texas Tech University Campus development located in Marble Falls, Texas. After the building was completed, Frank said “This is a wonderful building, it’s going to fill a void for the young men and women in the area. They will have a chance to attend school and continue their education here.” Frank donated numerous pieces of property to the city of Burnet, Texas, and had been instrumental to the beautification improvements seen around the city of Burnet, Texas. He was a great supporter of Seton Hospital, Seton Care-A-Van, Hill Country Community Foundation, 33rd Judicial District Victim/Witness Center, Scottish Rite Foundation, Girl Scouts of America and other various charitable organizations. He was a member of Burnet Gunfighters Association, U.S. Postal Lessors Association, master mason, Burnet Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen, former Burnet City councilmen and other community organizations. He was a wonderful, giving and caring gentleman. He once said “I’m doing it for fun, I’m retired and I want to leave something.” As many of us know he never “retired” as he continued to see things he wanted to get done. He wanted something good for the city of Burnet, Texas, and wanted a city, people could be proud of. Frank once wrote his goal “A man that’s clean inside and outside, who neither looks up to rich nor down on poor, who is too brave to lie; too generous to cheat; and too sensible to loaf; and who takes his share in the world’s supply of goods and lets other people have theirs, is my idea of a true gentlemen.” This is a wonderful goal for everyone to live by and he deeply believed in his goal. Frank once said, “I moved to Burnet and had a lot of fun.” Frank is survived by cousins, Dennis and Pat Tobin of Lynn, Mass., Myra Parrit of Steuben, Durrell Moore of Gouldsboro, Gardner Young of Nassau, Bahamas, and Caroline Tobin of Lynn, Mass.; dear friends, Fannie Shepperd of Burnet, Texas, and Kathleen Simmons of Austin, Texas; his devoted caretakers, bookkeeper; chairman of the board. Willie; and numerous genuine friends. He was predeceased by his mother, Grace Young Fickett; and father, Alan Fickett. The family thanks everyone for all of the assistance and support they have given during this time, including the entire staff at Seton Hospital, Seton Home Health Services and Seton Hospice. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at First United Methodist Church, Burnet, Texas, with the Rev. Ellen Ely officiating. Services are under the direction of Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, Burnet, Texas. Interment will be 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Milbridge, under the direction of Bragdon-Kelly Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please make charitable contributions to Seton Care-A-Van, First United Methodist Church, Burnet, Conn.; or any other charitable organization of your choice.
FRANKLIN ‘FRANK’ I. FICKETT
