Franklin “Frank” Southworth, a former state legislator who also served as president of the Denver School Board in the early 1970s, died Feb. 10. He was 90.
Southworth served in various Denver civic and political posts over about two decades, starting in 1960.
“He was a man of unshakable character who had a true servant’s heart,” said his son, Scott. “He always had a very positive, optimistic outlook.”
Southworth, a second-generation native of Denver, was born at Mercy Hospital, where his grandfather, Dr. Franklin Kenney, was chief of staff.
In 1943, on the day before Southworth’s 18th birthday, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served in the Philippines and on Okinawa Island during World War II and was honorably discharged after three years of military service.
Southworth graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1950 with a degree in economics. He married his wife, Doris, while attending college.
In 1955, Southworth returned to Denver, where he worked for Gulf Oil Corp. Southworth left Gulf Oil in 1958 to start Horizon’s Inc., a commercial construction company.
In 1960, Southworth was appointed manager of revenue for the city and county of Denver. About that time, Southworth served on the board of the Denver Metro Sanitation District.
Southworth formed a real estate firm, Southworth & Co., in 1966.
A staunch Republican, Southworth was chairman of the Colorado Reagan for President Committee in 1967. In 1968, Southworth was the alternate Colorado delegate at the Republican National Convention in Miami.
In 1969, Southworth was elected to the Denver Board of Education and served as board president in 1973 and 1974.
In 1972, Southworth was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives.
He made an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1974, the Denver 1st District seat, losing to incumbent Rep. Pat Schroeder.
Southworth’s run for Congress included an anti-busing platform. In 1975, he was a founding member and first president of the National Association for Neighborhood Schools Inc.
He served on boards of the Denver Art Museum, Centennial Chamber of Commerce and the Colorado Foundation for State Parks.
Southworth attended Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Doris; a son, Scott; a daughter, Nancy Puckett; and a grandchild, Chase Puckett. He was preceded in death by a son, Glenn, who died of leukemia as a child.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Greenwood Community Church, 5600 E. Belleview Ave., Englewood.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822, knicholson@denverpost.com or @kierannicholson
