Franklin Walter Hensley, age 82, of Oak Ridge, passed away Saturday, July 25, at his home. He was born February 8, 1933, in Richmond, Virginia, to Leonard and Marie Hensley. He is survived by Mary Katherine, his wife of 59 years.

Frank has two daughters, Gina (Ross) Jagim of Falls Church, Virginia, and Carol (Terry) Smith of Clinton; one brother, L. Charles Hensley of Oak Ridge; six grandchildren, Nathan, Aaron, Rachel, and Taylor Helton, and Ken and Nick Jagim; and two great grandchildren, Leo Helton, and Meela Spoelstra.

Frank served in the U.S. Army and was a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, with an engineering degree in 1964. He resided in Oak Ridge for 48 years and was an advocate for Tennessee scenic wilderness areas. Frank was a devoted conservationist who knew and loved the wild, natural lands, and waters of the Oak Ridge Reservation, the Obed Wild and Scenic River (WSR) and Upper Cumberland Plateau. He worked tirelessly on preserving, protecting, and enjoying all of these areas he treasured. [Read more…]