Franklin Craig Massey

Major, United States Army

February 13, 1975 – January 7, 2014

Age – 38

South Haven, Michigan

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Commander, D Company, 1/124^th Infantry Regiment,

Florida National Guard, Eustis, Florida

Died from a brain tumor

An “Army Brat,” Franklin was born on Feb. 13, 1975 in Fürth, Germany. He was a 1998 graduate of The US Military Academy, West Point; also a graduate of the Army’s Command and General Staff College.

 He served as an Infantryman for more than 14 years on active duty and in the National Guard, with two combat tours in Iraq; The latter as Commander, D Company, 1/124 Infantry. Other assignments included Ranger School Instructor, S-3, Operations and Plans Officer at brigade and battalion levels.
His awards include the Bronze Star (2nd Award), Combat (& Expert) Infantryman’s Badges, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Wings, Pathfinder Badge, and Air Assault Badge.

Franklin was a loving and devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife Rachel (DeWard) Massey and daughters Payton, Eden, and Aiva; also by his father, Major Craig Massey (USA Ret.) and his mother, Mrs. Penny Massey, of South Haven, MI.

He was employed by TenCate Protective Fabrics as their International Military Market Manager. The people at TenCate quickly became close friends and comforters for Franklin’s family. Franklin loved the River of Life Church in Hamilton because the people exemplify Christ’s love as they hold the Massey family in an eternal embrace and unconditional love.

“Don’t lose heart…for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is unseen is eternal.” II Corinthians 4: 16

He was remembered by fellow West Point classmates with the following words.

On so many levels our heart aches and goes out to you and your family. Frank was a year ahead of me and my husband at USMA. He was the kind of guy who always commanded respect because he treated others with respect no matter what. We looked up to him and had a lot of shared connections. Everything from Michigan roots to infantry boots to Ranger Hooahs. Our hearts may be heavy but we know the long gray line welcomes home one of its own and the heavens rejoice: Well Done, be thou at peace.

Myra & Terry Slaybaugh

January 14, 2014 | Fort Worth, TX