In nominating his former student, 2010 inductee J. William Stepro wrote:
With the goal of creating a quality of life that motivates individuals and families to locate in Crawford County, Gary L. Frankhouse assumed the leadership of the Crawford County Education and Economic Development Plan in July 2015. Given his enthusiasm, dedication, and integrity, that goal will be accomplished.
Gary was born December 16, 1970, to Gary and Sandy Frankhouse. In the late 70s, his family moved to Galion when his parents opened Prints and Paints, now known as My Floors by Prints and Paints. In addition to working at the store, Gary indulged his life-long love of sports by participating in as many activities as possible. This love of athletics continued as he attended Galion Senior High where he was a multi-year letterman in football, basketball and baseball. Despite the athletic success he achieved, his proudest high school accomplishment was being selected for membership in National Honor Society on the second try, and then graduating as the valedictorian for the Class of 1989. Following high school, Gary spent four years at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Continuing his pursuit of academic excellence, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, graduating Cum Laude. For two years at Miami, he played baseball, was selected for membership in Delta Sigma Pi, a business honorary fraternity, and found time to join a social fraternity, Sigma Nu. Those accomplishments notwithstanding, his greatest triumph at Miami was convincing Holly Jo Wilson, another Miamian, to be his wife. Gary and Holly have four children, Wilson, Walker, Carson and Lilja.
After leaving Miami, Gary worked for two years as a staff auditor of KPMG Peat Marwick in Columbus, Ohio. While in Columbus he became a Certified Public Accountant. Not satisfied with the corporate life, he returned home to Galion in 1995 to work in the family business. In subsequent years, he and his family have transformed the company into a very successful floor covering operation.
Gary’s love of community manifested itself soon after his return. He was instrumental in having the Gus Macker Festival come to Galion in 2000, 2001 and 2002. This philanthropic organization contributed funds for myriad local groups. Next, he convinced a group of like-minded individuals to create the Galion Community Education Foundation. Since its inception, the GCEF has provided over $200,000 to worthwhile local projects, school activities, etc.
During the last three years Gary has been very active with Galion Youth Baseball. Using his business acumen, he was instrumental in raising over $400,000 to enhance the youth program, as well as helping to establish The Galion Graders, our city’s team in the Great Lakes Collegiate Wood Bat League.
Another community activity for which he played an integral part was the creation of the celebration we now know as Connections Weekend. The collaborative effort seeks to honor highly accomplished GHS grads and to provide support for Galion City School’s performing arts and athletics programs. It is truly appropriate that this week-end in which outstanding Galion graduates are honored, Mr. Gary Frankhouse has been selected as an inductee in the Hall of Fame.
