Villareal, Frank S.

Frank S. Villareal, 90, of Iowa City, died at his home. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Private graveside services, with military honors, will be at Oakland Cemetery.

Frank S. Villareal was born Oct. 10, 1920, in Musquiz, Mexico, the son of Julian and Josefa Villareal, one of 13 children born to his parents. He came to the United States at the age of 6 and graduated valedictorian of his class at the age of 19 in 1939. He then went on to attend Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas before enlisting in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served as a paratrooper with the 101st and 82nd Airborne in the European Theatre. Returning to the states he married Eliza Paz on Feb. 13, 1946, in Del Rio, Texas. He attended Sor Bonne University in Paris, received his B.S. degree from the University of Santa Clara, and later his master's degree from Sul Ross University back in Alpine, Texas.

He has spent his adult lifetime as a teacher, principal, and coach, serving schools in Texas before coming to Iowa City in 1959. Here he taught and coached in the Iowa City School District at Central, Southeast, and Northwest Junior High Schools, and at both City and West High Schools, retiring in 1982. In his retirement he taught part-time at Regina High School.

Frank was a man who believed in education and in our young people. He could speak five languages, including Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, and of course Frank's English! He was certified to teach mathematics, Spanish, social studies, business law, accounting, and business machines. He coached football, basketball and track. In Frank's words, he lived a full life and now he hopes to rest in peace!

His family includes sons, Jerry (Renee') of Plainfield, Ill., and Ben (Susan) of Davenport; five grandchildren, Victoria, Catherine, Olivia, Alicia and, Nicholas; and four great-grandchildren, Ethan, Noah, Max and Sam.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Eliza in 2008; and two sons, Noel in 1991 and Ariel in 2009.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Frank's memory.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the Web at .

Published Sept. 2, 2011, in The Gazette