August 15, 1938 – December 14, 2023
If Frank Lloyd Dent could have chosen his favorite place to depart this world, it would have been his beloved Paris, France. But his gentle nature, never failing optimism, and creative mind carried him through his last days in Fairfield, Texas. Frank, 85, descendent of two early Texas families, died on December 14, 2023. He died peacefully with his friend William and cousin Juliana at his side. He was the son of Reverend Isaac Frank Dent and Mary Grace Lott. He spent his childhood in several Texas towns — San Augustine (where he was born), Navasota, Palestine, Atlanta, Galveston, Houston, and Dallas — where his father served as United Methodist Minister. Frank Lloyd’s life followed the path of theological training and service patterned by his father and grandfather. He grew up attending all the rites and services of his dad’s church. One communion service was nearly broken up by Frank Lloyd’s boyish exclamation after tasting what he thought was grape juice. His dad had substituted real wine and upon tasting it, Frank Lloyd loudly exclaimed, “hmm, what is this?”
He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Rice University, with a B.A. in philosophy where he excelled in drama and journalistic activities and was chosen as one of Rice’s ten outstanding seniors. He was the recipient of a Rockefeller Theological Fellowship and the Alliance Française Award for superior students in French. Frank went on to earn graduate degrees from Yale, Harvard, and Drew University, and become an ordained Methodist minister. He obtained his doctorate in education at Columbia University.
He presided over a small church in Connecticut, then offered his talents to the World Council of Churches, and later he served as director of the Rice Alumni Association. But he eventually returned to New York, to his apartment in the East Village, and became a quintessential New Yorker. He loved his New York Clubs: the Harvard Club, the Yale Club, and the Century Association, where he entertained his visiting friends over the years.
For several years he was involved with Young Audiences, Inc., one of New York City’s oldest privately funded organizations for sponsoring art education in secondary schools. In addition, he continued in his religious services in United Methodist Churches and in the First Presbyterian Church of New York City. Frank was greatly influenced by his travels abroad, including his involvement with the Ecole Internationale de Theatre in Paris, France, and his time in the country of India with the World Council of Churches.
Lifelong interests included marionette theater and model trains. Until recently, he had his boyhood train set up in his house, along with the marionette theater which occasionally came to life with Frank’s animation and voicing. Frank loved to entertain and plan elaborate parties. At the time of his death, he was in the process of planning a caviar and cocktail celebration at his care facility.
Although he chose New York City as his home, Frank never forgot his Texas roots. He spent his last years in his family’s ancestral home in Fairfield, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, the Reverend I. Frank Dent, and Mary Grace Dent, and his long-time companion Norris Houghton, of New York City.
Frank is survived by cousins Una Grace Nash, James David Lott, and William Loyd Lott. He leaves close friends in Fairfield — Beverly and John Awalt, Jane and Wendon Morrison, and Terry and Loften Dunlap —- who cared for him in his last years.
A memorial service will take place in January at the First Presbyterian Church in New York City, with internment to follow within the columbarium of the church. Donations of remembrance and honor should be made to Trinity Star Arts Council in Fairfield, Texas (trinitystarartscouncil.org, PO. Box 1546, Fairfield, TX 75840), where Frank was a founding advisor and dedicated supporter. Frank’s friends and family would like to express their appreciation for the kind attention he received at the Fairfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
