Stephen Francis ‘Frank’ Alvey, age 92, of Paducah, died peacefully in his home, April 13, 2014 at 7:30 a.m. He was born Feb. 26th, 1922, the sixth child of Charles and Ella Beaven Alvey in Morganfield, KY. He was a graduate of St. Vincent Academy and attended Cincinnati Art Academy for two years.
Frank was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church where he was Eucharistic minister for sick and shut-ins for twenty years. He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus Holy Rosary Council 1055 and was a fourth degree member. He previously worked for St. Vincent de Paul Society and was their jail minister for five years.
Frank served his country for six years. He was a veteran of World War II. A member of the 90th Calvary reconnaissance squadron under General Patton, third Army, 20 Corp. He participated in battles in Normandy, Luxemburg and the Battle of the Bulge. He worked in communications as a radio telegraph operator. He received the WWII Victory Medal, African Theater Medal and three Bronze Stars. He was called again to serve in the Korean Campaign, attended locomotive school in Fort Eustis, Virginia, and qualified at Oakland Army Base in California as a 724 operating engineer. In 1951, President Truman asked for all WWII veterans to be released and he returned home.
He was co- owner of A&B, Alvey-Brantley sign shop, in Madisonville, KY. He sold his interest in the shop after being called to Korea. After the war he was employed at local sign shops and at Camp Breckinridge until it closed. He retired from Martin Marietta in 1987. After retiring he was employed by Robert Alexander Auction and Realty until he became disabled. As a talented artist, his lettering and artistic pictures were seen on many businesses and highway signs in Paducah and Morganfield.
Frank enjoyed working in his garden. He was always proud of his WWII jeep that he rebuilt. He loved music and especially enjoyed playing his harmonica. He was an avid Wildcat fan, a member of Veterans of Foreign War, the American Legion, and was a Kentucky Colonel.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Marietta; two daughters, Theresa (Brian) Medlin of Paducah, KY and Janette (Kenneth) Courtney of Madison, AL; a son, Stephen (Liesl) Alvey of Omaha, NE; fourteen grandchildren, Angela Allison, Jeremiah Elrod, Nathan Elrod, Sarah Elrod, Moriah Medlin, James Medlin, Andrew Courtney, Katie Courtney, Joseph Alvey, Christopher Alvey, David Alvey, Matthew Alvey, Laura Alvey and Kate Alvey; six great grandchildren, Jeremiah, Kylie, Alex, Abigail, Madalyn and Julianna.
His parents, four brothers, and three sisters preceded him in death.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Brandon Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah. Prayers will be said at 7:30 p.m. that evening.
The Alvey family would especially like to thank Lourdes Hospice, Dr. Richard Smith, our sitters, and Theresa and Brian for constant loving care.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to: Lourdes Hospice, P.O. Box 7100 Paducah, KY 42002-7100 and to: Catholic Charity Adoption Agency 2911 South 4th St. Louisville, KY 40208.
You may leave a message of sympathy and light a candle of remembrance at www.milnerandorr.com
