Frank Joseph Jowdy Jr.

Frank Jowdy exemplified what it meant to be a Christian man of faith, husband, and father. Frank’s life was overflowing with the fruits of the spirit of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. One of Frank’s greatest character traits was being an exhorter. He constantly encouraged his sons and told them how proud he was of them and how much he loved them. His wife and sons never had to doubt his love for them. Frank also showed his love for his sons by attending all his sons’ events. Another major trait was his discipline and self-control in every area of his life.  

Due to his father’s military career, Frank had the opportunity to move around a lot as a child. Frank lived in California, Germany, Ohio, Colorado, Alabama, and Virginia. He played many years of little league baseball as a child, with his father serving as coach. 

Frank enjoyed playing on high school football, wrestling, and track teams. He was also an Eagle Scout with a gold palm and led the parade to place a wreath on President George Washington’s Tomb. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Texas at Austin. He earned his masters in business administration from Texas A & M at College Station.

He had over 17 years of contract management experience with Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Providers and services with the Florida Department of Children and Families. Most recently, Frank managed the DCF Managing Entity Contract with Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, Inc. From July 2006 until November 2012, he managed DCF contracts directly with various providers, primarily with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Providers but also with various Broward County contracts, such as Child Welfare and Homeless contracts. 

Before his work at DCF, Frank was an analyst troubleshooting the network for a telecommunications company that managed nationwide radio communications for commercial airlines. Early in his career, Frank served in the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant at the NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he helped design a space defense simulation scenario that was utilized in simulation exercises for battle crews.  

Frank took his role as a provider for his family very seriously. He sold newspapers, delivered pizza, sold cars, sold life insurance, and sold telecom services. During the aftermath of Katrina, Frank was an insurance adjuster. He felt God impressed upon him that if he cared for the people of New Orleans, God would take care of his family. He worked hard to do that.

Frank had received Christ in his heart, hearing Christmas carols as a child in a church. As an adult, Frank recommitted his life to Christ. In May 1985, he put everything in a car. Frank drove from Texas to Virginia Beach, Virginia, to serve the Lord by working on a master’s degree in Christian Films. He also thought he would meet his wife there.

Meanwhile, Joy had just left another part of Texas and headed to Virginia Beach to study for a Masters in Christian Ministry. Frank arrived at the Virginia Beach Campus and had nowhere to stay. He was standing at the outdoor bronze relief of the four horsemen of the apocalypse praying. A man came up to him and told him that God had told him to go there and that there would be a man to whom he would open his home. Frank took him up on the offer and stayed with his family until he got a landscaping job on campus. Frank then got a place in the student housing apartments. That is where he met his future wife, Joy, of 38 years when they were next-door neighbors in Student Housing.  

Frank enjoyed multiple sports and outdoor activities. He especially liked bowling and was even in several leagues. Frank had a student pilot license and had soloed. Frank was also a brown belt in Karate. He also was very gifted musically and had great rhythm. He really enjoyed dancing (He was on the University of Texas Dance Team and was once an Arthur Murray dance instructor.)  He and Joy used to enjoy a good Texas Two Step or a disco spin. He was on a church worship team and had a beautiful voice. He also played drums, piano, and guitar.

Most recently, Frank enjoyed training for and competing in five Iron Man 70.3 competitions, which include swimming, cycling, and running. He competed in three by himself and two with his sons. Despite fighting cancer, he would get up early to swim and work out at the YMCA most mornings. He could often be seen running or biking around the neighborhood, training for his next race year after year. On March 12, 2024, he finished his race here on earth and has now heard, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

Frank fought the good fight of faith against cancer since 2015. He firmly believed that healing was part of what Jesus provided for us through his finished work on the cross. Even though Frank did not receive his complete healing on earth, he would still want to strongly encourage others to pray and fight for their healing. Thankfully, Frank now has a new heavenly body without pain and can run and bike on the streets of gold. Most importantly, I strongly believe he would tell us about the grace of God provided by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. By trusting in Jesus, we have free access to God based solely on what Jesus accomplished on the cross and not by our self-effort. He would want us to draw close to God without fear of condemnation. To come to God just as we are, place our trust in Him, and enjoy the love of God.  

Frank Joseph Jowdy, Jr. was born in Novato, California, on December 23, 1954, and died on March 12, 2024. Frank was preceded in death by his father, Frank Joseph Jowdy, Sr., and his mother, Florence Rosholt Jowdy. Frank is survived by his loving wife, Joy Jowdy, and their two sons, Daniel Jowdy and Joshua Jowdy, as well as his sister, Marilyn Jowdy. He is also survived by extended family members, including sister-in-law Janet Pearson, sister and brother-in-law Sue and David Wright, daughter-in-law Leilani Jowdy, Nephew Eric Wright, and great-nephew Maddox and niece Marnie Clouatre and her husband Michael and great niece Cheyenne Clouatre and by many aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Frank will be greatly missed by his family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, community, and all who knew him.  

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to https://gofund.me/a38fd0f9