Doran Hansford Frame, Sr. was born in the small logging town of Curtain, W.Va., on Sept. 6, 1919, and left his earthly home on Sunday, July 5, 2015, making his final journey to be with Gerry, his wife of 70 years, and oldest son, DH. He was the seventh child of James Oscar Frame and Bertha Bell Friend Frame.
Doran was from a large family of six brothers and five sisters. Growing up in Gassaway, he remembered his childhood very well; the house he grew up in, the street names, teachers' names, playing in Birch River and his childhood friends.
In search of work, the family moved to Charleston when he was 11 years old, and attended schools in the Charleston area. He worked after school delivering groceries on his bicycle and other odd jobs helping the entire family. He worked very hard growing up, as during the Depression good jobs were not available.
He met his soon-to-be wife, Geraldine "Gerry" Ruby Daniels from Ward, W.Va., while she worked at a small family diner. They were married on Aug. 13, 1938.
His father, a well-known carpenter, gave him knowledge of the construction trade. Strong-willed and determined to suceed as a teenager, he started his electrical carreer at Goldfarb Electric, working for the late Nathan Goldfarb, his mentor and friend. Combining this knowledge, he founded Frame Electric Inc. in 1956. Starting out with only a few employees, Doran quickly became a leader in the electrical construction industry, employing more than 50 electricians. He accomplished many large industrial and commercial projects, and still would take time to perform residential service calls. One of his proud accomplishments was the new West Virginia American Water plant located in Charleston.
He served on numerous committees and boards of directors. He was nominated and served as governor over the West Virginia-Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association for many years. He wrote, managed and negotiated labor relations contracts between union employees and contractors. He established many laws for employee benefits and better education for apprentices. He would organize conventions, and enjoyed traveling the world with his fellow contractors. Growing even beyond the electrical needs for Kanawha Valley, he founded Daniels Electric in 1975 to service the UMWA coal plants electrical upgrades. He also purchased and operated Simpson Chandler Funeral Home for many years, through the late '70s and '80s.
Among his achievements, awards and accomplishments, he served as the West Virginia-Ohio Valley governor of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), was a 70-year member of IBEW Local 466, UMWA Contractors Association, treasurer for the Electrical Board of Governors, president of the Charleston Electric League, BOD for the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, nominated a Kentucky Colonel, an honorary admiral in Cherry River Navy, Booster Member of the Century and many other associations.
Doran dearly loved his wife, Gerry, and his life sadly changed seven years ago with her passing. But, being strong-minded, he battled on and carried out his life, still driving and going to his office daily.
He loved his family, his home and his church. He was a proud father of six children and always looked forward to family gatherings and festive holiday parties at home. He would sit back and enjoy watching the many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren playing in the lawn.
He was devoted to God and served on the board of trustees at St. Marks United Methodist Church for over 50 years, and was chairman for 30 years. He spearheaded and designed many projects, renovations and improvements, and was proud of these accomplishments. His church family was all family to him.
He was a proud West Virginian, and also very proud of his Scottish heritage. He would recite stories of how the Frames settled into the country and ended up in West Virginia. In 1999 he took the entire family to visit Scotland for two weeks, visiting the various towns where the Frame name was first recorded.
He was a very caring and giving man, helping family and friends whether financially or physically, never asking anything in return.
In his last few years he enjoyed company to visit, sit and talk. He enjoyed telling stories from his 95 years of knowledge and experiences throughout his life. His mind was impeccable and he remembered everything from childhood right up the current day events.
He would often ask at 95 years old, why I'm still here; we always told him he wasn't finished educating us all with all that knowledge. The amazing man we all called Dad was incredible and we will never know how he had the strength and determination to become the man he did.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gerry; son, Doran H. Frame II ("DH"); and two grandchildren, Fred Burdette, Jr. and Sherry Ann Burdette.
He is survived by his children, Kay Griffith, Carolyn Bossie (Jack), Kathryn "Kathy" Collison (Bill) of Charleston, Sharon Kolodzej (Ed) of Rome, Ga., and James "Jim" Monroe Frame (Beverly) of Reddington Shores, Fla.; daughter-in-law, Lisa Frame of Charleston; as well as 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; brother, Gene Frame of St. Petersburg, Fla.; sister, Elanor Smith of Columbia, S.C.; and many friends, all of whom he loved dearly.
God and Heaven have gained a very special angel, and being assured Dad will always be looking over us all.
Service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at St. Marks United Methodist Church, Charleston, with the Rev. Monty Brown officiating. Visitation will begin at noon.
Service of inurnment will be at noon Saturday, July 11, at the church columbarium.
Stevens and Grass Funeral Home, Malden, is serving the Frame family.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in Doran Frame's name to the St. Marks United Methodist Church Building & Grounds Trust Fund, 900 Washington St. E., Charleston, WV 25301.
The online guestbook for Doran Hansford Frame, Sr. can be accessed at www.stevensandgrass.com.