Frank C. Messick, 68

Frank C. Messick, 68, of Pontiac, died Aug. 27, 2018, in Pontiac. Funeral services will be private.

He was born Aug. 18, 1950, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, the son of Frank and Viola Spencer Messick. He was an Army veteran who served 11 years during the Vietnam era. His original military job was heavy equipment instructor, but after a hearing loss, he served the last nine years as a manager in Army intelligence accounting.

In 1982 in Mountain Home, he married Cindy Hall. 

Mr. Messick was a master carpenter who worked all over the United States. Some of his work on the West Coast was featured in magazines. He built custom, high-end homes and did restoration work. 

He was also an avid fisherman and especially enjoyed bass fishing on Bull Shoals Lake. “You don’t have to catch fish to have a great fishing trip,” he would say. 

He was an excellent guitar player.

In 2012, Mr. Messick was diagnosed with clear cell renal cancer after it had metastasized to his brain; he was only given six months to live, but he beat the odds and survived. In August 2017, he was cancer free, but after his six-month checkup in March 2018, his cancer had returned with a vengeance in his brain and spine. He underwent surgery and radiation for the brain tumors, but complications and an infection set in that his body was unable to overcome. 

He is survived by his wife, Cindy Messick of Pontiac; sons Jeff Messick of Renton, Washington, and John Nehr and wife Melissa of New Brighton, Pennsylvania; daughter Stacie Frank and husband Tim of Pasco, Washington; son by marriage Ted Russell and wife Jody of Dora; grandchildren Rusty Russell, Kaylee, Eben and Gavin Frank, Jackson and Paisley Nehr, and Joely Russell Smith and husband Edgar; great-grandson E.J. Smith; two brothers, Leon Messick of Gainesville and Dean Messick of Carthage; brother-in-law Jeff Hall and wife Suzy of Lady Lake, Florida; and sister-in-law, Elaine Messick of Hoquiam, Washington.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Manuel Messick and Dallas Messick; brother-in-law Stephen Hall; and sister-in-law Lynda Hall Nocks.  

Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Online condolences may be expressed at kirbyandfamily.com.

Arrangements by Kirby and Family Funeral Home, Mountain Home.