Frank Testa

September 21, 1946 – May 3, 2025

Husband, father, grandfather, brother, Navy veteran, nurse, real estate agent, gentleman, and friend — Frank Testa was many things to many people, and he made each one of us feel uniquely seen and loved. Known to his family as "Buddy," Frank passed away peacefully in Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 78, surrounded by the love that he so freely gave throughout his life. Born in Dallas, Texas on September 21, 1946, to Joseph Testa and Hallie Bob Stell Testa Homier, Frank lived a life marked by service, adventure, and heart.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1967, receiving the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

After returning home, Frank began a career in loss prevention before following his calling into healthcare. In his mid-30s, he became a registered nurse, serving in emergency rooms at St. Luke's, Texas Children's, and Kelsey-Seybold in Houston. He later transitioned into healthcare administration, ultimately becoming the Director of Risk Management at Tampa General Health Care System and, later, the System Director of Risk Management at Cook Children's Health Care System in Fort Worth — a city he loved. Even after retirement, Frank continued to serve others by earning his real estate license and helping clients and friends find their place in the world. Frank was the love of Lei Malone Testa's life, and she was his. Married for 19 years, they shared a beautiful partnership marked by deep faith, boundless laughter, and countless adventures. Frank was always planning — a vacation, a dinner, a gathering, a project — and he delighted in making others feel welcome and cherished. He never missed a chance to bring people together around a table with good food, good wine, and even better stories.

A voracious reader, Frank devoured three or four books a week and was always on the hunt for new favorite authors. He loved being out on the water at Eagle Mountain Lake — "Captain Frank" at the helm — and he found deep joy in traveling across the Americas and Europe with Lei, friends, and family.

Frank loved the Lord and was grateful for the gift of his salvation. He studied the Bible with his beloved Bible Study Fellowship group and was a dedicated member of Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth. He often quoted Dr. Doug Cecil's blessing, which he carried with him and strove to live out each day: a quiet, humble disciple committed to prayer, wisdom, and grace.

He is survived by his wife, Lei Malone Testa; his children, Carrie Testa of North Richland Hills, Texas; Dara Atkinson and husband Jason of Carrollton, Texas; and Matthew Myers and wife Samantha of Windsor, Colorado; as well as his grandchildren, Caleb Myers, Parker Myers, Jacob Atkinson, and Ava Atkinson. He is also survived by his sister Antoinette (Toni) Testa Murphy, his sister-in-law Heather Malone, and his parents-in-law Judy and Ron Malone, who all loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his siblings Carroll Dan Donham, Joseph Testa, Jr., and Mary Testa Morgan, and by his parents.

Frank brought warmth to every conversation and light into every room. People often say he was "one of a kind" — because he was. He had a thoughtful and caring heart, always remembered what was going on in people's lives, and meant it when he said, "I'm praying for you." He had a habit of checking in, just to see how you were doing. He never missed a chance to offer a kind word, a helping hand, or one of his famously dry quips. (Ask his grandkids about "smell my feet — they smell like biscuits," or his favorite wait staff about his "coupons!")

Frank served on the boards of both a Wish with Wings and the JPS Foundation, finding purpose and joy in advancing missions that mattered deeply to him.

And in every picture — just about every single one — you can count on Frank posing with his signature pensive look, hand on chin, in mock seriousness. It was his subtle way of letting you know he saw the humor in everything, and he was always glad to be there.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 27th at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Chapel Bible Church, 3701 Birchman Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas. Light refreshments will follow.

Interment with military honors will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank's honor may be made to a Wish with Wings, 3751 West Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, or online at

https://wishwing.ejoinme.org/MyPages/TheFrankSTestaMemorialEndowment/tabid/1120128/Default.aspx