‘Frank’ly speaking, a man of many talents
Badminton champ, ‘Day of Infamy’ history buff, entertainer, retired teacher, Frank Galbraith still going strong
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One of Frank Galbraith’s many talents has been collecting national and statewide medals in badminton singles and doubles — mainly gold — at Senior Olympic events for more than two decades. This long-time Farragut resident and retired highly respected Knox County Schools teacher — primarily a social studies teacher at Farragut Middle School — displays some of his hard-earned hardware. - Tammy Cheek
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Frank Galbraith has entertained folks in the Farragut area in song with piano accompaniment, especially at senior living centers, for decades. - Tammy Cheek
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Galbraith’s knowledge of U.S. history is displayed annually with his “A Day of Infamy” presentation in early December about the events leading to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. - Tammy Cheek
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Frank Galbraith, third from right in back, is joined by his wife, Cheryl Galbraith (in front of Frank) and other family and friends at Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Farragut, led by the Rev. Leonard Turner, far left, as senior pastor during a 50th Anniversary celebration of the Galbraiths’ contributions to God’s kingdom through UCPC on Sunday, June 4, 2023. - Tammy Cheek
A highly respect retired teacher who has brought joy to fellow seniors as an entertainer in song with piano, a historian whose “Day of Infamy” presentations are an early December staple for the Town of Farragut, and an athlete good enough to collect Senior Olympic national and state gold medals in badminton, Frank Galbraith of Farragut is a man with so many God-given gifts.
Athletic success early, often
Focusing on athletics, Galbraith, 83, may compete in this summer’s Tennessee Senior Olympics June 17-26 in Franklin.
“When you get over 60, whoever is injured the least (in a match) wins,” Galbraith said with a laugh.
Galbraith has been enjoying success in badminton and track and field since high school and well into college.
After graduating from Farragut High School in 1959, he went on to run track at Union College in Barberville, Kentucky, where his team won the conference championship his sophomore year.
Galbraith was a decathlete at University of Tennessee, where he also won a collegiate badminton championship before competing in track after transferring to East Tennessee State University — winning the badminton championship as an ETSU Buccaneer as well.
Not slowing down as an athletic when he turned 50, Galbraith competing in the Senior Olympics was no surprise. Initially competing in badminton, he won in the state level about 25 times with his doubles partner, Ron Sutch of Nashville.
“He’s 12 years behind me,” Galbraith said about the age gap. “I waited for him to turn 50.”
In 2009, “we came in second at Stanford University Senior Olympics’ national tournament (in California),” he recalled. “We got second place in 2015 in Minneapolis, (Minnesota).”
In 2013, in Cleveland, Ohio, the pair won the national championship for men’s doubles badminton for the 60 to 64 division.
“I just lucked out,” he said.
However, two years ago, Galbraith switched to discus and shot put.
“I couldn’t do badminton anymore,” he said. “I had to stop because of my knees.”
He explained badminton is a fast sport. Galbraith remembered when he was 22 or 23, playing against Dr. Sherrill Smith, a 30-year-old who beat him during a tournament in Memphis. Stunned, Galbraith asked how he did it, and Smith showed him the “fundamentals” of how to win.
Before his switch to track events, however, Galbraith had racked up enough medals in badminton to fill up a desk drawer.
Time to teach, present day
After graduating in 1965 from ETSU with a major in geography and minors in history and physical education, “I had no ideal what I was going to be,” Galbraith said.
He worked at TVA for a few years as a Visitor Relations representative, “but I wasn’t happy,” he recalled.
Then in 1966, Galbraith talked with a track coach and realized what he wanted to do with his life: teach and coach. Galbraith went back to school and got his teaching degree. In 1967, he began coaching track at Halls High School. He began teaching social studies at Farragut Middle School in 1970 until he retired in 2005.
Besides his athletic side, Galbraith’s pursuits in history continue. Each year, in early December, he presents “A Day of Infamy: A World War II Historical Presentation” for Town of Farragut Museum. He chronicles the events leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, prompting the United States to enter World War II. His 2024 presentation was Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Farragut Community Center.
His interest in Pearl Harbor started early, as he was “born nine months before the Pearl Harbor attack,” he said.
Additionally, he learned his uncle, Robert “Bob” Smartt, flew 31 World War II combat missions in B-17s in Europe, while a cousin, Navy ensign Joe Smartt, died at Pearl Harbor.
Galbraith’s history knowledge will be shared in another area this spring (exact date not set yet), pinpointing our own Volunteer State with his presentation of “Magnificent Tennesseans” in the Community Center.
Galbraith and wife, Cheryl Galbraith, have four children, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
