George Henry Frantz Jr.

George Henry Frantz, Jr., passed away on March 2, 2023, at Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer. George was born June 7, 1947, to his loving parents, Rodgie Joan (Johnson) and his namesake George Frantz Sr. He was the oldest of three brothers and grew up on the west side of Massillon, Ohio.

By most accounts, George didn’t enjoy school all that much, but he excelled in music and the arts. He was a member of the Washington High School Band, and the Art Guild. The Art Guild is where he met his lifelong best friend, Susan Tipton. George and Susan would later marry and go on to have two wonderful children together. George graduated high school in 1965. After graduating, he attended Parsons Art School, and Kent State. During his time at Kent State, he responded to a job ad for Camelot Music and began working there.

In 1967, he was drafted into the Vietnam War, enlisting at the Canton, Ohio recruitment office. He graduated basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he bested the rest of his class by being the fastest at the monkey bars section of the obstacle course. Thereafter, he attended his advanced training at the Quartermaster School in Fort Lee, Virginia. During the break between his basic training and advanced training, he and Susan were married. He was sent to Vietnam in 1968, becoming a part of 9th Division / 47th Infantry Battalion near Bhin Phuc, Vietnam. According to him, his assignment as Supply Sergeant allowed him first-pick of the best socks, cigarettes and beer, and to know what liquor was being sent to the Officer’s Club. He would often slip through the vent of the Club after hours, borrowing a good bottle for himself and his friends. In letters home, he would write about his dog, Susie, and how he missed his mother’s crumb cake. His mother did make him a cake, and sent it to Vietnam in the pan it was baked in. He was wounded on February 14, 1969, at a battle in the Mekong Delta, receiving two Bronze Stars for valorous service, an Army commendation medal, and a Purple Heart. After his recuperation time, he was sent back to his post. As his time in Vietnam came to an end, George found himself lucky to be on the very first plane of soldiers to return home, following the United States’ withdrawal from Vietnam in July 1969. Upon his return, he was stationed in Fort Irwin, California, working as a Supply Sergeant at the Goldstone Tracking Station for the final year of his service before being honorably discharged.

After his transition from the army, he returned to Ohio and his job at Camelot Music. He worked at Camelot for over 25 years, using the skills that he developed in the Army to help grow the business exponentially. During his time there, he went to many events, meeting such legends as George Michael, Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra and Elvis, to name a few. After leaving Camelot, he went to work for US Ceramic Tile, first in East Sparta, Ohio and later finishing his career in Chicago. After retiring from US Ceramic Tile, he went to work at Lowe’s, stating that he needed the employee and veterans’ discount to afford his love of gardening and DIY projects.

When he wasn’t in his garden or starting a new project at home, he was traveling, antiquing, and spoiling his granddaughters, Sarah and Annabelle. Whether it was annual trips to Hatteras Island, hiking part of the Appalachian Trail, or taking an epic cross country road trip, George was always up for an adventure.

George was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his best friend, Susan Frantz; his partner, Terry Bates; his two children, George (Lucinda) Frantz III and Julianna (David) Lee (Frantz); his granddaughters, Sarah Frantz and Annabelle Lee; his brothers, Joseph (Christina) Frantz and Rodger (Kathy) Frantz; several nieces and nephews; his beloved aunt, Laura Johnson; and many cousins, including his partner in crime, Sue Ann (Berkshire) Rodgers.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date, and he will be laid to rest at Western Reserve National Cemetery.

In memory and honor of George, the family asks that you do one or more of these things that George enjoyed: give someone a hug, call a friend, take a hike, go for a joy ride, plant some flowers, pet a dog, watch a Mel Brooks Movie, stay up late and check out the stars, spin a record or two, toast a PBR or a Chivas Regal Scotch (two fingers of ice covered in water with another two fingers of Scotch) with a good friend or stranger, thank a veteran, and tell someone you love them.