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Frank Walton Eastland, 78, of Roswell, Georgia, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2025. Born on April 30, 1947, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, to Robert Walton (Walt) Eastland II and Betty Ruth Eastland (née Lilly), Frank grew up as the eldest of three, the protective and prank-loving big brother to sisters Deb and Pam.
His childhood unfolded in Melrose, New Mexico, where he was a member of Boy Scouts of America, Future Farmers of America enjoyed participating and helping in the annual harvest, until his junior year when the family moved to Santa Rosa, New Mexico. He graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1965 as a member of the Honors Society.Frank went on to study Finance at New Mexico State University, while also engaging in the ROTC program. After graduating, he moved and lived in Belen, Farmington, and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He made a move out of NM and landed in Austin, Texas, before settling in Roswell, Georgia. On April 12, 2003, he married Bernadette Kathleen Geraghty, his partner in life’s adventures. A passionate cyclist, Frank advocated for safer roads in Atlanta and helped bring a prestigious Italian race to Roswell. He co-founded a publishing company with his daughter, Raeghan, and, as an animal lover, rescued his dog Blue while caring for his mother, Betty, and shared his home with his jealous parrot, Alberto.
Frank is survived by his wife, Bernadette; children Walt (Amy Benson) of Albuquerque, NM, Raeghan (Charles Rebstock) of Pilot Point, TX; step children Kelly (Taina Hilton-Green) of Stuart, FL, Bridget (Richard Garrard) of East Malling, England, and Christopher (Rachel Alberts) of Fayetteville, GA; grandchildren Orion, Soren, Alana, Marek, Olivia, Alaina, Alice, Selah, and Adele; and sisters Deb of Oklahoma City, OK, and Pam of Dallas, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walt (2008) and Betty (2018).
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Mount Pisgah Church, 2850 Old Alabama Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30022. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Georgia Transplant Foundation in Frank’s memory.
His mischievous grin and sweet heart will live on in every prank, pedal, and page he inspired.
Debbie Eastland says
To the best big brother a girl could have. I love and miss you so much! Thank you for you, and thank you.for many great memories.
Bridie Garrard says
Precious Frank, thank you for being so loving and supportive always! We loved you, we loved your sense of humour and we loved the interesting chats we would have about what was going on in this crazy world of politics. You had a wonderful way of making one feel so loved and safe! Thank you for being the most precious Poppa to our children and for being the most amazing,kind,loving,protective husband to my Mom. Our hearts are broken! It isn’t goodbye, it’s till we meet again. And that we will! We love you Frank. Mom, you were his treasure, your years with Frank were the best,but I know he will be cheering you on. He loved you so much!
Judy Padilla Myklak says
Debbie, I am so sorry for your loss. Brothers take up a big space in your heart and that space can ever be filled until you see him again. My deepest sympathies to you and your family dear Debbie.
Jan Runyan says
To Debbie and Bernadette…
I only knew Frank as Debbie and Pammie’s big brother in elementary school, in Melrose. But I do know how much he was loved by his parents and Debbie. I always heard how much they appreciated and enjoyed Bernadette being in their family!
His family included me on many trips and I loved them.
My sympathy to both of you.
May God bless and comfort you. Sincerely, Jan Meredith Runyan
Owen Comeaux says
Bernadette,
My heart ❤️ and prayers 🙏 are with you. God bless Frank. He was such a great character of a man. I am honored to have known him. I offer my deepest sympathy and most heartfelt condolences
Pat Norris says
Dear Aunty Dettie and Family, our hearts go out to you. Blessed are those who mourn. Sending you all our love.
Shannon Huback says
Bernadette, my heart goes out to you and your family. You know I was so fond of Frank – he always lit up a room with his smile and laughter. He will be dearly missed. All my love, Shannon
Johnny pack says
To Frank’s family, my sincere condolences. Frank and I were inseparable as children. My 1st memories are of us getting into trouble there in Melrose.
I’ll miss him.
Debbie Dudek says
Bernie, my thoughts are with you as you mourn the loss of your beloved husband. Frank was such an amazing man who brought so much happiness and joy everywhere he went. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
Love you so much!
Debbie
Mary Ellen Eastland says
Frank was a kind man and I will miss our online conversations. God bless Frank. My condolences to his wife and children.
Larry Freeland says
Linda and I extend our condolences to Frank’s family on your loss. I first meet Frank about 5 years ago when I approached him about publishing my first novel. He was most supportive, helpful and we struck up a friendship and working relationship that was mutually rewarding for both of us on many levels. He was a fine man, always professional and a real pleasure to work with. We also had many conversations and shared outings over the years.
We will miss him and take comfort knowing he’s at peace with his maker.
Larry and Linda
Edmund O'NEILL says
Dear Dette,
So sad to learn of the death of your wonderful husband, Frank.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory. My sincere condolences to you
and the family and all who mourn his passing. I keep you all in my prayers.
Love from Cape Town.
Scott Haygood says
Dearest Ms Bernie, Stefanie and I are so sorry for your loss but so happy we got to know Frank because of you. He was always so generous and kind! We always loved seeing him at the bike store and the times he would drop by at work.
Christy S Prophet says
Ms Bernadette, my prayers are with you and your family.
Sara ROMO Lopez says
Debbie, so sorry for your loss may your brother RIP prayers go out to you and your family!
Gail Kolb says
Bernie this is very sad news. We will you and your family in our prayers. Frank was your Sweetheart.
Love to you.
van Dijck says
Dearest Dette. We were both so sorry to hear about Frank via Merlie. We can’t even begin to imagine the loss you heart must be feeling right now. We pray for the Almighty’s hand of comfort to be on you and your family in this difficult time. Love Peter and Tracey
Scott Cottrell says
Peggy and I will miss Frank deeply. What started out as a publisher-author relationship quickly became a friendship-mentor relationship as Frank shared his considerable depth of experience with us, and his big heart. He was a good man.
Our deepest sympathies to Bernadette and Frank’s family.
Jeff Geraghty & family says
Dearest Dette, we are all so very sorry for your loss, and so glad we got to meet Frank on our visits to Atlanta. An incredibly kind and gentle spirit. Wish we could be with you at this time, but send vast quantities of love and hugs from your Australian family, Jeff & Debbie, Justine & Brad, Richard & Kathy, Beth & Ricky and the 4 grandchildren, Jake, Chloe, Hali and Alba.
Greg Milano (Pen Name Orion Gregory) says
I got to know Frank through the publishing process. He was always so positive and upbeat. I will always consider him my friend. I will see him one day on the other side. Blessings to Rae, Bernadette, and the rest of the family.
Chris Losey says
From the first time I talked with Frank on the phone, I realized I was dealing with a man of great integrity. As an author with Publish Authority, I quickly saw why they had such a high rating in Georgia. Frank always went over and above with the help I needed. You treated us all as friends. Thank you!
Travis E Short says
The condolences expressed by so many here are testaments to the beautiful character of our dear friend, Frank Eastland. He was a kind, sweet, and considerate soul, and will be deeply missed by those of us who were fortunate enough to know him.
Travis Short, Author
Michael Amaral says
My condolences to all. This has been both so sudden and so sad. I met Frank through the publishing of a couple of books. We always had the best conversations, and his comments on the work at hand were always deeply insightful, showing both great knowledge and wisdom. He was also really fun to work with and a great, fun loving, person. I will greatly miss him.
Gordon Rolle Jr., Ed. D says
Gordon Rolle Jr.,Ed.D
My wife Sonia and I met Frank, during the opening of the Fayetteville, Georgia GOP headquarters. Frank introduced himself and promptly offered to support my efforts to establish a minority engagement statewide rally by funding a website for Maga Black Georgia (MBG). Frank’s support was instrumental in MBG promoting a statewide tour featuring former attorney, judge, and TV personality the honorable Judge Joe Brown.
I will never forget the kindness Frank and his daughter Raeghan extended to me and how much an impact that made in the outcome of the 2024 Presidential Campaign in which Georgia, one of the swing states, lead to Donald Trump becoming the 47th president of the United States of America.
Frank will always be remembered by me as a great man, and model citizen.
May his memory be recognized as apart of U.S. history.
Sonia and I extend our sincere condolences to the Eastland Family.