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GULLEDGE, FRANKLIN JR., 72, of Brandenburg, KY, formerly of Louisville, entered into rest on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at his home. Mr. Gulledge was a retired major with the U.S. Marine Corps with service in Vietnam with the Purple Fox unit. After retiring as vice president of the old Bank of St. Helens, he became a flight instructor. He was the Angel Flight pilot of the year for Kentucky for three years and Mid-Atlantic for two years. He was a former member of the Rotary Club of Southwest Louisville. He was preceded in rest by a sister, Sallie Nichols; and a son, Britt Gulledge. Mr. Gulledge is survived by his wife of 38 years, Drema Gail Gulledge; a son, Franklin Gulledge III; a daughter, Ainslie Guion; a sister, Loretto Nero; and five grandchildren. Viewing will be 5-9 p.m. Monday. The funeral service will be noon Tuesday at the Hardy Funeral Home, with interment following in Louisville Memorial Gardens West. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the American Heart Association.
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06/04/08
A Day For A Marine We Shall All Remember - Franklin A. Gulledge, Jr. Major USMC (Ret) |
Pastor Roger Newell, a native son of the Louisville area and long time friend of Frank and Gail Gulledge led those congregated at W. G. Hardy Funeral Home in the remembrance of the life long work of a Man, a Marine, a Husband, a Father, and an Angel Pilot. Known for transporting needy children to much needed distant health care facilities, Frank presented each with a Teddy Bear (10 inches tall with leader flight jacket and leather helmet. Franks generous spirit motivated the telling many encounters with those in need.
Tom Esslinger and The Warriors of Hill 881S and five members of The Purple Foxes were privileged to be present. As Colonel Dabney said "Frank was a Gentle Man." Flowers were prominently displayed from The Warriors of Hill 881S and All The Purple Foxes each andmost poignantly a beautiful array of what we have called Flowers From The Desert from Lt. Col. Mark A. Schrecker, USMC CO HMM-364 in TQ and The Purple Foxes.
At the cemetery the story was told of the flag adorning the casket of Uncle Frank, which then Lt. Col. "Hudman" Hudson, USMC flew as it was anchored on the ceiling of his CH-46 PF helicopter on a mission in Iraq. Pastor Roger Newell (former SAC USAF) told the story just before the Marines folded and presented the Flag to Gail Gulledge. As Hayden Wilbur said "It was like being at Arlington National Cemetery, you could feel the power of the moment." Four Purple Foxes and one friend and one family member were the pallbearers. Tom Esslinger, who was XO to Col Dabney, India Six, on Hill 881S was present with members of "The Warriors of Hill 881S". Special appreciation was given to the Marine Reserve Unit Honor Guard led by its Commanding Officer and Bugler, the Marine Corps League 21 Gun Salute.
Afterwards, Gail Gulledge and her family gathered with many Marines at "O'Charlies" Restaurant nearby, with each conversing about their great appreciation for the life of "Uncle Frank".
Semper Fi,
Account of the funeral was provided by Pat Donovan
06/04/08
Gail requests contributions be made to the American Heart Association.
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