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Obituary for Franklin Clair Van Meter
Former Curry County Veterans’ Service Officer and County Commissioner candidate Frank Van Meter passed away at his Gold Beach, OR home on Sunday, February 19, 2012. He was 53. Frank was born August 20, 1958 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Albert and Neva (Wilder) Van Meter. He grew up in the Portland, OR area. At the age of 17, Frank entered the US Army where he served for 23 years in various capacities including field artillery, missile defense and as a drug and alcohol counselor and policy maker. Frank retired as a Sergeant First Class on January 1, 2001. He returned to Portland where he attended and graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor’s Degree. In 2005, he moved to Curry County where he took on the role of the county veterans’ service officer. He did that until retiring in September of 2011. In November 2011, and in continuing his near lifelong role in public service, Frank filed as a candidate for Curry County Commissioner. He enjoyed traveling all over the world including a recent trip to Europe with his companion, Amanda. He also loved raising chickens and his Chevy truck. Frank was a life-member of the Elks Lodge and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a member of AmVets. Survivors include his daughters, Laura Autry of Portland, Anna Van Meter of Flagstaff, AZ, son, Joshua Van Meter of Flagstaff, stepson Bob Heick of Portland, OR, mother, Neva Van Meter of Portland, OR, loving companion, Amanda Cooke of Gold Beach, brothers, Paul Van Meter of Missouri and Mark Van Meter of Portland, OR, sister, Connie Rubenstein of Ohio, Son-in-law Jacob Autry and grandson Caleb Autry Frank was preceded in death by his father. Memorial contributions: In Lieu of Flowers donations can be made to continue to serve the veterans of Curry county via an account established at Chase Bank in the name of Frank's oldest daughter Laura Autry. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the Lents Baptist Church, 5921 SE 88th Ave. in Portland. Interment will be Monday Feb 27th at 1pm at the Rogue River Cemetery, Hunter Creek Loop in Gold Beach, with a memorial service following at the Brookings Elks Lodge at 3:00pm.
