William Franklin Looney, MD, known by all as Frank, was born into eternal life Saturday, April 2, 2022, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was 78.
On June 14, 1943, Frank was welcomed into this world by his parents Gus and Laura Looney and older brother Tommy. He lived a full life with stops in New Boston, TX, Austin, TX, Galveston, TX, Leavenworth, KS before settling down with his young family in Denison in 1975.
Growing up in New Boston, young Frank was a Roy Rogers cowboy. Frank excelled in the classroom and was a standout athlete for the New Boston Lions. He lettered all four years in football, basketball, and track and three years in baseball. In addition to his academic and athletic prowess, he was routinely voted Best Dressed. As a Junior, he was selected to attend American Legion Boys State. Throughout his early years, Frank was known for his calm demeanor; a trait that would later define him.
In 1961, Frank enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in just 3 years with honors in 1964. That fall he enrolled at University Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, once again he graduated in three years with honors in 1967. In April 1967, he married Helen (Tinka) Hooks. The next several years, the two would tour parts of the South during ENT residency culminating back in Galveston. Following residency, Dr. Looney served his country as part of the Army
Following residency, Dr. Looney served his country as part of the Army Reserves then moved to Denison, TX in 1975 and started the Texoma Otolaryngology Clinic at 100 Memorial Drive next to Texoma Medical Center.
As an avid sailor in Galveston, he was drawn to North Texas and Lake Texoma for the sailing, only to fall in love with the game of golf. Additional hobbies included running, biking, bird hunting, water skiing and snow skiing.
As young adult of the 60s and 70s, he established an early ear for outlaw musicians, such as Jerry Jeff Walker, Willy Nelson, and Merle Haggard. He had a deep love for the Longhorns, burnt orange, Luckenbach, four-legged friends, ice-cold Coors Light, and, of course, margaritas.
Over the next 40 years, Dr. Looney would mend and heal patients out of his office and Texoma Medical Center in Denison. He would later join the physician-surgeon’s hospital Heritage Park in Sherman. He was known as a patient’s doctor that cared for all in his care.
In September 2003, Frank married Jacquie Avent, together they lived in Denison and Horseshoe Bay. Together they enjoyed traveling, cooking and golf.
Dr. Looney was preceded in death by his wife, Tinka (1997), his parents Laura (1990) and Gus (1999) and brother, Tommy (1976). He is survived by his sons (and wives), Matthew and Jennifer – Denison, Daniel and Allison – Lantana, Joel and McKamy – Dallas, and Luke and Shelly – Vail, CO, Davis – 22, Lindsay Jane – 20, Heath – 4, Quinn – 4 and Landry – 3. Frank is further survived by his wife Jacquie Looney – Horseshoe Bay, her children Dearl Avent – San Antonio, Paige Sedate – Allen and five grandchildren.
Frank’s children celebrated his life with a gathering of friends and family in Denison, on April 6.
In lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Denison Education Foundation, 1201 S. Rusk Street, Denison, TX 75020, or www.denisonisd.net/denison-education-foundation.
