Frank Pack Papers

Frank Pack was the eldest of three sons and was born on March 27, 1916, in Memphis, Tennessee to Walter and Mary Pack. Frank was baptized at the age of 10 and knew from a young age that he wanted to be a preacher. When he was 16, he preached his first sermon before the Reid Avenue congregation in Nashville on July 10, 1932. He later graduated from high school as salutatorian and went on to attend David Lipscomb College for three years with fellow students Howard A. White, M. Norvel Young, Batsell Barrett Baxter, and Willard Collins.

Frank preached in Chattanooga while completing his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Chattanooga and his Master's at Vanderbilt. In 1940, he joined the Bible faculty at David Lipscomb College and also preached at the Grace Avenue Church for four years. In 1945, Frank moved to Los Angeles to attend USC where he pursued a doctorate degree due to the encouragement of Batsell Baxter, Sr. By September of that same year, he was also teaching at Pepperdine College and preaching at the Burbank Church of Christ.

In August 1946, Della Carlton attended service at the Burbank Church of Christ where she met Frank. The two became instant companions and married in June, 1947. In 1949, Frank and Della moved to Abilene, Texas when Frank received an offer to join the faculty at Abilene Christian College. After 14 years at Abilene Christian College, Frank and Della moved back to Los Angeles when they received a call from President M. Norvel Young to return to Pepperdine College. From 1964 to 1991, Frank preached for the Culver-Palms Church of Christ and served on the faculty of Pepperdine College. In addition to his teaching duties, he also chaired the Bible department from 1964 to 1972, and again from 1980 to 1983. He served as dean of the Graduate School from 1967 to 1978 and was promoted to Distinguished Professor of Religion in 1978. His wife, Della, was also a member of the Pepperdine faculty from 1964 to 1977.

Frank preached for nearly 60 years at more than 300 gospel meetings and was a featured speaker in college lecture programs throughout the nation. He was also a prolific writer, publishing nine books and more than 300 articles throughout his career. Frank died on December 9, 1998, of natural causes in Upland, California. He was 82.