Frank Boggus, a well-known businessman and philanthropist, passed away at 94.
Frank Boggus was a remarkable man, devoted to others and revered by all who were privileged to know him in his 94 years as the consummate Texan.
He was a man of faith, family, and community who often missed holiday dinners with his own family while serving others in his world of charity and outreach.
Born the son of a Rio Grande Valley Ford dealer, Frank Boggus along with his wife, Peggy, grew the business to become one of the most prominent dealer organizations in the state.
He went from Salesman in his father’s Ford dealership to President of the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce and life member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, founder of the Boggus Education Pavilion at Valley Baptist Medical Center, the Harlingen Boys and Girls Club and the Ronald McDonald House for which his daughter, Barbara Sue Tucker, was the building Chairman. Frank served the Salvation Army for over 40 years, receiving the William Booth award, named for the Salvation Army founder and the highest honor of that organization.
Frank Boggus also achieved the highest honor in the automobile industry in Texas, receiving the TADA Legend Award. He is one of 22 honorees out of the thousands of franchised car dealers in TADA’s 107-year history.
Frank Boggus was a giant in the automobile industry, and throughout his life, he blessed our state with his leadership and good works. Frank Boggus’s influence in education, medical services, retailing, banking and economic development, along with his contribution as a community volunteer and role model for youth, is unparalleled.
Born in Brownsville, Frank Boggus spent his entire life in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. His integrity, character and leadership skills were developed on the football field as a halfback for the Harlingen Cardinals, on the campus of Texas A&M University and in the United States Air Force where he served as a 1st Lieutenant.
The stadium where Frank scored touchdowns for the red and white is today J. Lewis Boggus Stadium. Frank went from a Harlingen high school student to eventually becoming President of the Harlingen Independent School District.
His legacy will be everlasting and the next two generations of his family are following in Frank Boggus’s footsteps in the community and in the automobile business.
Frank’s son, Bob Boggus has been Chairman of the Board of TADA and a member of the Executive Committee for 15 years, and along with his wife, Karen, has been an essential leader for the association and the industry. Grandson Jacob Boggus, fourth generation of this amazing family, like his grandfather, is a community servant as well as an outstanding car dealer. Jacob and his wife, Erica, lead TADA’s young dealer division, the Texas Dealer Academy, and are continuing the Boggus legacy into its 90th year.
Frank Boggus spent his life providing essential transportation to the Texas Rio Grande Valley, but he also made it a priority to provide a helping hand to anyone in need and to make the world a better place for us all. He will certainly be missed, but his good work and family legacy will live on forever.
