We are sorry to share the sad news that Frank B. Coakley, a founding member Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. has passed away. The fraternity shared the sad news today on Twitter.
“The Brotherhood of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. has lost one of our most Honorable Founders, Brother Frank B. Coakley,” said the tweet. “As we remember Founder Coakley, tag @Ipt1963 to your photos and videos with him and use hashtag #IPTFounderCoakley.”
Frank B. Coakley served as a Chief Lending Officer at BC Lending in Baltimore, Maryland. According to the company, Coakley “served in a variety of community development and lending positions at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Harbor Bank of Maryland, and Fannie Mae” prior to joining BCL. Once he made the move, he worked at BCL to review and advise loan officers on applications, finalize Loan Committee requests, and connect with clients to conduct pre-loan review meetings.
Serving in the organization’s presidential role, 22nd International Grand Polaris Andre’ R. Mason remembered Coakley in a statement.
“It is never easy to lose a loved one,” said Mason. “It becomes even more difficult when you lose someone who is a pillar, a giant in his own right, and an inspiration to so many… I cannot articulate the words or give enough examples to show the amount of love we have for our Beloved Founder. Please take this time to reflect on the importance and magnitude of the involvement of our Founders to our fraternity – the friendships formed and the moments that were and are shared…”
On September 19, 1963 Coakley, along with 12 other students founded Iota Phi Theta at Morgan State University. He was number 4 on his line. Currently, only founding members Lonnie Spruill, Jr. and Louis Hudnell are surviving. Today Coakley joins 8 other line brothers in transition into the posthumous Alpha Iota Omega Memorial Chapter. Those members are Albert Hicks, Charles Briscoe, John Slade, Barron Willis, Webster Lewis, Charles Brown, Charles Gregory, and Elias Dorsey, Jr. The whereabouts of 12th member, Michael Williams, are unknown. The fraternity currently boasts about 30,000 members worldwide.
