Frank Baggett, Jr.

Frank Bernard Baggett, Jr. lost his battle with cancer on November 17th at Medical City Dallas. He was 62 years old. The family is deeply saddened by this unimaginable loss. Frank was born July 4, 1963 in Kilgore, Texas where he was active in many youth sports and loved to play outdoors. He attended Kilgore School district where he met his loving wife at age 13 for an 8th grade dance. Together they grew up and attended Kilgore College and then Stephen F Austin in Nacogdoches. They later moved back to Kilgore where they got married and settled down.

Together Frank and Jenny lived a wonderful life full of joy, laughter, vacations and daughters. They created many memories while discovering the beaches of Florida, playing Softball with “Coach Frank” and living the dream on the “farm”. To Frank everyone was his child and to every child Frank was a father figure, buddy or mentor.

Most recently, his greatest joys in life were his grandchildren, who knew him as ‘Papaw’ or ‘Big Daddy’. He loved to spend time outside with them as they rode their bikes and scooters around the driveway, letting them sit in his lap while sitting in the “Papaw Chair” and picking apples from his apple tree together. The best was wagon rides, pulled by Papaw and attending their sports games.

Frank had many hobbies. As with everything in his life, he had a love for growing things, in his garden he cultivated all kinds of fruits and vegetables, always with the intent of sharing them with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed watching documentaries, researching vintage guns (which he talked about with his son-in-laws), playing video games (completing Fallout multiple times), and sharing his vast wealth of practical knowledge with his children to help them live their lives more easily. He was always on the hunt for the latest science fiction novels, waiting for the newest science fiction shows on TV, and attending Renaissance festivals with his family. His favorite getaway was going to the beach with his family and offshore fishing with is nephews.

Frank began his career at the Kilgore Police Department in 1988, starting first as a Patrol Officer. During his time there he held many roles within the KPD including, Patrol, SWAT, Drug Task Force, Detective, and Code Enforcement. In 2010 he retired and decided to open Pro-Tek Guns, making his hobby into a career. In 2020, due to the effects of COVID, Frank and partners decided to close Pro-Tek and enjoy his retirement.

Frank was a man of honesty and integrity and always offered advice based on life experiences. He was loved by young and old alike and never met a stranger. His jovial attitude and ability to talk to everyone as if they were a person who mattered spoke volumes to the quality of his character. With endless stories and jokes to share, his personality easily filled every room he entered, and he was always the life of the party.

His legacy will carry on forever, reminding us that we are all capable, strong, and we can do anything we set our minds to, be it gardening, engineering or just raising chickens and riding horses. There are no words that can express how blessed and grateful we are to our friends and neighbors who have stood with us, backed us and prayed with us during Frank’s battle against cancer.

Frank was predeceased by both his parents, Frank and Gloria Baggett.‍

Frank is survived and missed by his loving wife and middle school sweetheart, Jenny Mankins Baggett (of 40 years next January); and his children Jalissa & Ryan Smith, Jenae Baggett & Chuck Austin, and Kristina and Rudy Galvan. Forever adored by his grandchildren Jocelyn Smith, Kyran Austin, Jenna Austin, Jaisa Austin, Alexis Rowe, Hayden Rowe, Le’lanna Galvan, and Leighton Galvan. His memory will be cherished by sisters in law Janie Harris (husband Carl), Lsha Stanley (husband Bill), and Jan Warren (husband Eddie) and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and cousins.

Services for Frank Baggett, Jr. will be held 10:00 am Friday, November 21, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church in Kilgore with Tim Bryan and Rev. Dr. Jerry Carpenter officiating. Burial will follow at Danville Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore.