Dates
Frank Floyd Lieber was born at Shannon Hospital on June 25, 1950 to Jack and Betty Lieber. It was there that the nursing staff nicknamed him Rusty, a nickname he would carry the rest of his life. Rusty went to meet his Lord and Savior on May 9, 2017.
Rusty graduated from San Angelo Central High School in 1968 and attended Angelo State University for a year before enlisting in the United States Army in 1969. During his tenure in the Army, Rusty traveled to remote locations, contributed to military editorials and political cartoons, was stationed in Hawaii as a recruiter, and served in the Vietnam War. He was honored with the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. Rusty graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1974.
Upon his return to San Angelo, Rusty worked in public relations for KCTV. It was during this that he met and married Jo Stotts on July 12, 1975. He lived throughout the Concho Valley in San Angelo, Paint Rock, and Lowake, and he spent the majority of his adult life employed by the United States Postal Service, from which he was medically retired after 22 years. After his retirement, Rusty became active in Veterans causes through the Texas Veterans for Veterans.
Throughout his life, Rusty took an interest in civic issues and was involved in many community organizations, including the Lion’s Club, the Masonic Lodge, Suez Shriners, the Paint Rock Independent School Board, Concho County 4-H, and the Concho Volunteer Fire Department.
Rusty never met a stranger and enjoyed spending time visiting with friends. He was an avid reader who enjoyed historical and military topics. He was an artist of pencil, ink, and oils. He raised homing and tumbling pigeons. Rusty came to love fishing at a young age while spending time at OC Fisher with his grandfather, Daddy Frank. He went on to share this love with his grandchildren. He was happiest when he could sit on the riverbank and drop a line or work on his art.
Through the years he studied many religions before discovering the truth of Jesus Christ. He held membership in the United Methodist Church of Paint Rock and served as a lay minister often writing and delivering Sunday sermons in small area churches. Rusty most recently held membership at the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd where he served a term on the vestry. He found joy serving others through hospital visitation.
Rusty’s greatest love and passion was his family. He is preceded in death by his father Jack Lieber, grandparents Frank and Grace Lieber, and son-in-law Clayton Taylor. Rusty is survived by his wife Jo of 41 years; daughters Stefanie Taylor of Sonora, and Amber Jansa and husband Clay of Abilene; grandchildren Dylan, Lane, and Peyton Taylor and Daisy and Fletcher Smith; mother Betty Lieber of San Angelo; sister Beth Buchholz and husband Don; nephews Lt. Col. Doug Buchholz and wife Kim of Little Rock, AR and Major Matt Buchholz and wife Stephanie of Alexandria, VA; aunt Jo Faye Lieber of Lubbock, TX; and numerous other cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family would like to thank the nursing staff and therapists of the Shannon Medical Center 4th floor North and the St. John’s 2nd floor Skilled Nursing Unit for their kindness and care.
A memorial service is scheduled at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd or the Texas Veterans for Veterans.