Frank Rutherford Gartside Jr.

Frank Rutherford Gartside, Jr., 80, passed away peacefully December 9, 2020 at his home in Naples, Fla. Frank was born April 11, 1940 to Martha (Baker) and Frank Rutherford “Rudy” Gartside, Sr. The young “Buddy” Gartside grew up in Memphis, Tenn. where he worked at his father’s general store, showed an aptitude for mechanical vehicles, and got into general mischief. My brothers and I became a part of Frank’s story when he married our mother, Marilyn, in 1980. What we know of Frank’s early years came from Frank himself. He could tell a story, and although we’re pretty sure he exaggerated, his stories were always grounded in some truth. He told us he was friends with a young Elvis (yes, that Elvis); married the same woman three times (the first time at a ridiculously young age); spent time riding with the Hell’s Angels; and got in serious trouble with the law. I leave it to you to confirm any of these things. Here’s what we really know and witnessed about Frank: *He worked mostly as an auto mechanic at various businesses in the Ann Arbor/Chelsea/Dexter, Mich. area. He finished his working days as an owner/operator truck driver. •He was a fantastic, down home cook! Everything from steak on the grill to chicken quarters over a fire pit to slow-cooked spicy Italian spaghetti was A-MAZING! Special requests were often made for his “Sunday” breakfasts...the real artery clogging type. Cooking them left such a mess that he taped newspaper to the surfaces to combat it. •His concept of time and money was warped. He could turn a 20-minute, $20 trip to the local market into a 3-hour, $300 trip to Sam’s Club. We called these his “Wally World” trips and still use the phrase when we travel on an unintended journey. •Dogs held a special place in his heart. Socrates, Sean, Timmy, Suzie, Baron, Rambo, and Bear were adored by Frank while we knew him. •He was the kind of person to give you his last dollar if you needed it. He was a good egg, a kind soul, a loyal friend. If you knew him personally, count yourself lucky. There aren’t many out there like him. •He loved our mom fiercely and doted on her always. His beloved, Marilyn, left him three years ago. He never really recovered from her loss. We are comforted that those missing pieces are now together and whole. Frank is survived by his sister, Mary Seigler, Blue Ridge, Texas; his daughter, Pam (Matt) Kuzel, Ann Arbor, Mich.; his stepchildren, Rick (Julie) Zerkel, Anchorage, Alaska; Steve Zerkel, Cape Coral, Fla.; Cris (Don) Shankleton, Boyne City, Mich.; and David Zerkel, Naples, Fla.; his grandchildren, Gregory and Jeffrey Kuzel, Sarah (Eric Francisco) and Austin Zerkel, Madi Zerkel, and Cassidy, Rece and Simon Shankleton. Rick, Steve and Cris would like to give special thanks to David for the love and care he gave Frank in his remaining years. Arrangements were made by Gendron Funeral & Cremation Services, Ft. Myers, Fla. Memorial contributions may be made to a humane society of your choice.

Frank Rutherford Gartside Jr.

April 11, 1940 - December 9, 2020