The honorable Justice Frank Drowota III passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 15, 2018 at the age of 79 from ALS. He was the son of Dr. Frank F. Drowota Jr. and Vivian Russell Drowota. Dr. Drowota was the founding minister of Woodmont Christian Church in 1943 and served until 1973. Frank and his caring and loving wife Claire Hooper Drowota were married for over 52 years.
He is survived by his wife Claire, two children, Helen Drowota Close (Richard) and Dr. Frank Russell Drowota (Alison), five grandchildren, Ryland Close, Cason Close, Clay Close, Russell Drowota, and Rose Drowota, and his sister, Clare Drowota Carpenter (Bill).
Frank graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy in 1956 and Vanderbilt University in 1960. He served as an officer in the navy on the USS Shangri-La from 1960-1962. He received his J.D. from Vanderbilt School of Law in 1965. At the age of 31, he was appointed as the youngest Chancellor of the Davidson County Chancery Court and served from 1970 to 1974. He served on the Tennessee Civil Court of Appeals from 1974 to 1980. In 1980 he was elected to the Tennessee Supreme Court, becoming the youngest justice to ever sit on that court. He served until 2005, when he retired as Chief Justice. His tenure on the court was the second longest in Tennessee history.
Frank was a strong and humble leader his entire life. He served as president of the American Red Cross, the Nashville Rotary Club, and the Tennessee Judicial Conference. He served as chair of the Middle Tennessee YMCA and was the first Chair of the Joe C. Davis YMCA Camp Widgiwagan. He served on the Board of Trustees of Montgomery Bell Academy, the Frist Foundation, and the Nashville School of Law. He was an elder and deacon at Woodmont Christian Church.
He received the first Distinguished Alumnus Award ever presented by Montgomery Bell Academy. The Tennessee Bar Association created the Frank F. Drowota III award in his honor to be given to an attorney dedicated to community service. He received numerous other awards for community service, too many to name. He dedicated his life to serving others and giving justice to all who came before his court.
Frank’s parents were from South Carolina. Frank spent summers visiting his many South Carolina cousins during childhood years. The visits continued for the rest of his life, taking his children and grand children to experience the same joys of fishing, crabbing, beaching, biking, and sharing fun family times together. Summers in his youth were also spent at Camp Hylake as a camper and counselor. Frank cherished his years at MBA, especially playing halfback on the State Championship Football team of 1956. His competitive spirit was an asset on the football field, but later in life became a detriment to his health on the ski slopes.
He had many adventures traveling around the world, snow skiing, hiking, and biking with family and friends. He was a dedicated runner who completed the Marine Corps Marathon. His motto was “work hard, play hard”. His positive attitude, love of life, and enthusiastic personality endeared him to many friends whom he cherished.
Above all else, Frank was respected for his character, integrity, humility, and selfless, giving spirit. He was a role model and mentor to many.
Visitation will be on Saturday, April 21, at 12:30 at Woodmont Christian Church in Drowota Hall. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 3:00. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Woodmont Christian Church, the YMCA, or Montgomery Bell Academy. Marshall-Donnelly-Combs 615-327-1111
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