Rev. Frank Austin Mercer

Rev. Frank Mercer, 85, died Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in Oelwein, Iowa.

Born July 20, 1927, in Vancover, British Columbia, he first came to Yucaipa in 1966 to become the youth pastor at First Baptist Church of Yucaipa, building a small group to about 100 youth by 1970. Many benefited from his ministry and some have gone on to full-time Christian service.

After leaving Yucaipa in 1972, Frank presided over churches in La Habra, Escondido and Cedar Rapids. He returned in 1983 to become the founding senior pastor of Valley Baptist Fellowship. He remained for five years, leaving VBF with about 600 attending the church.

Pastor Frank, or "PF" as he was known by his friends and parishioners, pastored churches in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Iowa.

In his earlier years, he served his country in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947. He graduated from Biola University in 1953, coached basketball at Biola and football and basketball at Culter Academy in Los Angeles. He was the Whittier Christian School administrator. He received his honorary doctorate from Los Angeles Bible College in 1990.

Frank is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ann Mercer; daughter Cathy James of Iowa; son Tom Mercer and his wife Sheryl of Victorville; granddaughter Kristen Frisch and her husband David of Yucaipa; grandson Jeff James; granddaughter Kim Hurley; grandson Jon and his wife Stephanie James of Yucaipa; granddaughters Denette Haney and her husband Brian; Lyndsey White and her husband Jason; grandson Drew Mercer and his wife Teague and 12 great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Aug. 18 at Grace Baptist Church in Waterloo, Iowa.

A memorial celebration will be held at Yucaipa Christian Church, with date to be announced through the News Mirror.

Frank will be missed by the thousands of families whose lives were transformed through his ministry and, most of all, his family. "Thanks, PF, for the gift of your life and example. We look forward to seeing you again.". Obit published in the Yucaipa/Calimesa News Mirror, Yucaipa, CA. 27 SEP 2012

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Mar 22 2017, 22:38:37 UTC