Frank Maynard Obituary

Frank Lee Maynard passed away July 19, 2025 at his home in Springfield, MO, surrounded by loving children. He was born May 17, 1933, in Springfield, the son of Harry Lee and Ruth Pauline (Griswell) Maynard. Frank was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Elaine (Madden) Maynard, his parents, infant son Frank Jr., parents-in-law, and his brother Harry D. Maynard. He is survived by his five children and their spouses: Linda Lacy (John), Bobbi Aton, Karen Campbell, Jeff Maynard (Denise) and Jim Maynard (Kathy); more than 40 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; his sister Marilyn (Maynard) Brockman; and sisters-in-law, grandchildren's spouses, and dear friends.
A graduate of Springfield Central High School, Class of 1951, Frank was an accomplished high school and college track and field athlete and a talented musician who played first chair cornet in the famed Springfield Boy Scout Band, at one time the largest Boy Scout band in the world. He was honored to be chosen to play the famous "Taps" music during patriotic memorial ceremonies for the US Armed Forces. Those who knew him then spoke with utmost admiration about his brass instrument skills. Though he continued to perform in college bands and orchestras, instead of pursuing a music career he studied engineering at Drury and MSU (formally SMS College) and spent a well-respected career on the engineering teams for various stainless steel equipment manufacturers. If you have enjoyed Bugle Corn Snacks, then you can thank Frank for the equipment invention which produced it and for which his design earned a patent. In the mid-60s, he used his engineering skills to design and build the beautiful family home he lived in for the rest of his life.
A man of many passions, Frank was an avid fisherman, hunter, and lover of dogs, and he always made sure to feed the birds and wildlife which visited his large property of shade trees and gardens. He took up the harmonica in his later years and debuted his acting talents on the stage with the Springfield Little Theatre as the prominent harmonica player in their presentation of "Big River". He was a natural in that performance.
Frank was rarely as happy as when he was onstage, especially when he was performing at one of Silver Dollar City's Homestead Pickers jam sessions, although any chance to tell one of his hundreds of jokes would have been a close second. He carried a bundle of handwritten jokes in his wallet just so he would always be ready to give anyone-friend or random stranger or Cedar's Restaurant waitress-a laugh and a smile.
Frank never took life too seriously. He loved his family dearly and we loved him even more.
A private graveside memorial will be held at the family plot at Greenlawn Cemetery North. Family and friends will gather Sunday, August 24th at 12 noon at the Springfield Botanical Gardens meeting room to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, a charitable donation to the World Central Kitchen in his memory is suggested.
To make a donation please visit: https://donate.wck.org/give/499865/?_gl=1*66h048*_gcl_au*MTMzMDI2ODEwNC4xNzUzMzY1Njc4*_ga*MjA4ODczNTcwMy4xNzUzMzY1Njc4*_ga_5WKVY8503C*czE3NTMzNjU2NzckbzEkZzEkdDE3NTMzNjczMzUkajYwJGwwJGgw#!/donation/checkout?c_src=navbar