DALLAS - (January 11, 2005) - (USFranchiseNews)-D'Angelo, a respected real estate veteran, businessman, entrepreneur and franchising pioneer, was most well-known for establishing HomeVestors of America into the only national franchise of its kind.  The business, which specializes in buying, rehabbing and selling single-family residences across the United States, grew to national prominence for D'Angelo's signature "We Buy Ugly Houses" outdoor billboard advertising campaign.  Today, HomeVestors includes nearly 250 franchise locations in 25 states and continues to expand throughout America under the original mission that D'Angelo designed.

A native of Dallas, D'Angelo achieved early success in the real estate industry for establishing award-winning real estate offices in Dallas and Houston in the 1970s and 80s.  He focused on recycling single-family houses in Dallas, which later became the basis for HomeVestors.  After buying and selling more than 100 properties annually, D'Angelo decided to teach others his business model in the late 1990s. Today,  HomeVestors is the most recognized company of its kind, annually ranked on Entrepreneur magazine's "Franchise 500" list and repeatedly named to the "Dallas 100" as one of the fastest-growing privately-owned companies based in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

D'Angelo is survived by his wife, Betty of Arlington, TX; daughter, Toni D'Angelo-Lott of San Antonio, TX; mother, Rebecca Ann D'Angelo of Dallas; a sister, Karen D'Angelo of Flower Mound, TX; brothers John and Paul of Dallas and Joe of Portland, OR; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind another family - thousands of people associated with HomeVestors at the corporate office and in franchise locations around the nation.  His family and his company will continue his mission to reinvigorate existing communities, new and old, through HomeVestors.  

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 12, 5-7 p.m. at Restland Memorial Chapel in Dallas. A Remembrance Service begins at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at Scofield Memorial Church in Dallas, Thursday, January 13, at 1 p.m., and internment will follow at Grove Hill Cemetery in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Mayo Foundation/Bile Duct Cancer Research, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, payable to The Mayo Foundation. Please mark the check "In memory of Ken D'Angelo." You may also submit condolences on the website http://homevestors.com/memoryofKenD.

About HomeVestors of America, Inc.

Founded in 1989 and franchising since 1996, Dallas-based HomeVestors of America, Inc., has more than 240 franchises throughout the United States. The first franchise company of its kind, HomeVestors trains and supports franchisees who specialize in buying homes in need of repair. Most commonly known as the "We Buy Ugly Houses" franchise, HomeVestors strives to make a positive impact in each community.  M

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Monica Feid, BizCom Associates