Franklin Eugene “Frank” Gilmore, 92, of Shell Knob, Mo., passed away Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo.

He was born April 16, 1933, in Newport, Ark., the son of Emanuel and Sallie Lee (Woods) Gilmore, who preceded him in death. 

Also preceding him in death was his daughter, Deborah Hileman and son-in-law, Charles Rhoades, Sr.

Survivors include his wife Beverly Ann Hicks; his sons, Allen Eugene Gilmore of Hoyt, Kan., and Darrell J. Davis of Tulsa, Okla.; daughter, Sandra Rhoades of Carbondale, Kan.; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He attended school in Newport, Ark., graduating from Newport High School in 1951. After graduation, he moved to attend college at Texas Christian University, where he played football for one year. He then moved to Miss., and played one year at Mississippi University before joining the United States Air Force. He and Beverly lived in Lawrence, Kan., until 1969, when they moved to Shell Knob, Mo. 

There, he started Shell Knob Electric, from where he retired after 25 years. He also owned many rental properties. 

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 20, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Shell Knob, Mo., under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Pastor Bob Gaddis will officiate. Burial with military honors will be at Fields Cemetery in Shell Knob, Mo.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time Saturday, September 20, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Shell Knob.

Contributions may be made to Shell Knob First Responders in memory of Frank.