Parts Plus founder Frank Norfleet passes away

Feb. 21, 2012

Frank Norfleet, Parts Plus founder and a former Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Man of the Year, has passed away.

He served in the army during World War II where he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Silver Star for his action with a tank unit during the Battle of the Bulge.

He joined the Ozburn-Abston Co. in 1946 and formed Parts Inc. in 1958. He also developed the Parts Plus name in that same year. In 1977, he was instrumental in the formation of the Association of Automotive Aftermarket Distributors (AAAD), which later became AWDA.

Norfleet was recipient of the AWDA man of the year award in 1972. He was married to his wife Jean for 69 years and was 93 at his passing.