John Ray Frank

John Ray Frank, 86, New Market, died July 4, 2023, at Citizens Care and Rehabilitation Center of Frederick due to complications from diabetes. He was born June 12, 1937, at the Washington Homeopathic Hospital in Washington DC, to John Wilford and Edith Baldwin Frank. He was married to Carol Thobois Frank for over 50 years, until her death in 2010.

Ray graduated from Washington-Lee High School in 1955, earned a BA in Horticulture from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1960, and an MA in Environmental Biology from Hood College in 1975.

Ray served in the US Army for two years and worked for more than 34 years with the US Department of Agriculture and the US Army, mostly at Fort Detrick. During his career, he published 186 research articles, specializing in weed control, including using ornamental plantings to limit weed growth.

Ray was a faithful and dedicated member of Calvary United Methodist Church, Frederick, MD, for over 63 years, serving in many leadership roles including lay leader, Sunday school teacher, and softball and basketball coach, and as a member of the Administrative Board, Pastor Parish Relations Committee, Staff Parish Relations Committee, and Fisherman’s Club.

Ray’s hobbies and interests included license plates, stamps, sports memorabilia, travel, and books. He was a member of the Extra Miler Club—that included travel to every county in the United States.

He is survived by his partner Cathy Karl, children, Joan Frank and husband John Bartell, Julie Frank and husband Mick Montague, Erin Harris and husband Jamie, grandchildren Jaclyn Bartell, Stella Harris, Sage Wolfe, and Jude Harris, sister Ellen Armentrout and husband Don “Jack”, sister-in-law Deborah Mount, nephew Kevin Armentrout, nieces Jan Ellis and Tracey Lambert and their families as well as many friends and extended family members.

In addition to his parents and his wife, he was pre-deceased by grandchildren Jenna Frank Bartell and Nico James Elwood Harris, brother-in-law John Mount, and dear friend, Millard E. “Jack” Crum.

The family would like to thank the staff of Citizens Care and Rehabilitation Center of Frederick for their exceptional kindness in caring for Ray.