Frank Payne Fullerton

Frank Payne Fullerton, 83, passed away at Providence Hospital on June 25, 2008 in El Paso, Texas. The son of John Carr Fullerton and Lelia May Payne Fullerton, he was born September 2, 1924 in Orange, Virginia. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and his law degree from Southern Methodist University. He worked as an attorney for the International Water and Boundary Commission. A World War II Veteran, he served in the U.S. Army in the China-Burma-India theater and later served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Fullerton, the Pan American Judo Union Sports Director, was a seventh-degree black belt and international referee. He was the first president of USA Judo, a member of the US Olympic Committee Board of Directors and a delegate to the International Judo Federation. Fullerton received many honors for his work in the sport of judo, including his receipt of the John Osako, Henry Stone and Adrea Bregman Memorial Awards and recognition as the Black Belt Magazine Man of the Year. Fullerton was named the 1976 Texas Man of the Year and inducted into the PJU Hall of Fame in 2006. Earlier that year, he received the New York Athletic Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Fullerton is preceded in death by his wife, Katharine Harvey Fullerton; brothers, John and Raymond Fullerton; sister, Dorothy Gentry. He is survived by his step-son, Charles Mattox of San Antonio, Texas. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Lelia May Muncy (Rick) of Marshall, Virginia, W.L. Gentry (Debbie) of Louisa, Virginia, John C. Fullerton, III (Beth) of Salado, Texas, Raymond A. Fullerton, Jr. of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Virginia F. Simpson (Pres) of Fresno, California, Patty Ann Backus (W.A.) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Thomas Gentry of Unionville, Virginia, George Fullerton (Mary) of Jacksonville, Florida, and David Fullerton (Kathy) of Morrow, Georgia. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Frank Fullerton Memorial Fund, U.S.A Judo, Inc., 1 Olympic Plaza, Suite 505, Colorado Springs, CO 80909, or a charity of your choice. Visitation will be held from 12 – 2 pm, Thursday, July 3, 2008 at Sunset Funeral Home-West, Chapel of Peace. Graveside Service will be held at 2:30 pm, Thursday, July 3, 2008 at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-West.