Francis “Frank” Deleveaux Carden, Jr., age 85, died Monday, August 14, 2023, at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, MD. He was born in Terrell, TX on January 29, 1938. His parents were Francis Deleveaux Carden, Sr. and Velma McDonald Carden.
Frank graduated from Terrell High School as valedictorian of his class. In 1961, he received his BA in Linguistics and Classics from Harvard College where he was a member of Lowell House and the Harvard Class of 1960. Frank earned an MS in Systems Analysis from the University of Rochester in 1973 and, in 2012, an MA in Theology from Saint Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore.in 2012. Frank also studied at the National War College in Washington, DC.
Upon graduating from Harvard, Frank entered the Navy, planning on returning to Harvard for a law degree after completing his tour in the Navy. He was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, and after completing his first tour in the Navy, he decided to make the Navy a career rather than returning to Harvard.
Frank spent the majority of his Naval career at sea as an intelligence officer. At one time, he had been to sea on every aircraft carrier in the Pacific Fleet, and he also served aboard cruisers on the staffs of the Seventh Fleet Commander in the Pacific and Sixth Fleet Commander in the Mediterranean. Frank was selected for early promotion three times during his career. He received many personal awards, including the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Service Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal (the first ever awarded). Frank held the position of executive assistant and senior aide to the Director of Naval Intelligence and later as executive assistant and senior aide to the Deputy Director of Defense.
In 1964, Frank married Anne Morrison. As a Naval couple, they lived over much of the world -- twice in Hawaii, once in Japan, once in Italy, and in various cities in the United States, including Norfolk, VA, Rochester, NY, and Washington, DC. After twenty plus years in the navy, Frank retired, and they moved to Hagerstown where Frank taught Latin and computer science at Saint James School for six years and subsequently worked for the Tischer Insurance Agency as the chief financial officer. During this time, he served as Secretary and then President of the Long Meadow Rotary Club. Anne and Frank both served at various Episcopal Churches in every place they lived. Frank retired from Tischer to a life of church work, directing and playing duplicate bridge.
Frank was predeceased by his parents and a granddaughter, Gabrielle. He is survived by his sister, Kathleen Carden Munday, his son Francis Deleveaux Carden III and his second wife, Traci Carden, and two grandsons, James Hallonquist Carden and Francis Deleveaux “Del” Carden IV.
A Memorial Service was held on September 1, 2023, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main St, Sharpsburg, MD 21782. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Sharpsburg.
