Frank W. "Bud" Brower Jr. died peacefully on March 9, 2016 having been surrounded during the last few weeks of his life by all of his children, their spouses, his grandchildren, and adoring wife, Karen.

The son of Frank W. Brower Sr. and Marion Merrick Brower of Price, Maryland, and brother of Ann Dudley Brower Turner of Raleigh, North Carolina, he entered this world on October 26, 1929 during the Great Depression.

He was modest, honest, compassionate, and certainly had a bent for spreading fun and laughter with his jokes and long stories. It became his mission to handle life’s trials with his infectious sense of humor. It was not uncommon to hear peels of laughter at a cocktail party, only to find Frank at the center reciting one of his many hysterically funny jokes. Anyone who knew him will never be able to hear the word “Timbuktu” again without a knowing grin spreading across their faces.

Like his father, major league baseball Hall of Famer, Frank “Turkeyfoot” Brower, Frank Jr. was an incredible athlete. At Washington College, he was an All-American baseball and soccer player. After graduating magna cum laude, he turned down the opportunity to play baseball for the Washington Senators and instead entered the U.S. Navy as an officer where he served his country honorably. Following his time in the service, Frank went on to a successful career in medical equipment sales at Narco Medical and then formed his own medical supply business, Mission Companies in the late '70s. Frank was blessed with the skill to achieve anything he set his mind to and he always lived life with a mission and purpose.

Based on both his movie star good looks and winning personality, he was unavoidably lovable and huggable. No wonder he was “twice blessed” with over-the-moon, loving marriages. The first to Mason Darby Brower of Jacksonville, Florida. They were happily married for 43 years and raised four lucky sons: Tripp, Darby, Hamilton and Christopher, who brought him three beautiful daughters-in-law, Sheri, Jennifer and Kimberly. After Mason’s death in 1998, Frank was blessed with love a second time marrying Karen Webster Brower of Southport in 2002. Karen brought more blessings to the growing Brower household with her three children Christin Gillooly, Jennie Hartley and Daniel Webster, and their spouses Pat, Matt and Trina. Combined, Frank and Karen shared the lives of 17 grandchildren and their menagerie of spoiled golden retrievers and a Maine coon cat.

Every one of his grandchildren, who affectionately know him as “Poppy,” warmly remembers the many life lessons that he imparted and how much of a difference he made by his example, love and interest. He made a huge effort to be a part of their lives and he succeeded in spades. Life as a grandfather was filled-to-the-brim with fun, support and love, whether in Ponte Vedra, Florida or at “Camp Chaos” on Pratt’s Island, in Southport.

Frank’s charm extended beyond family and touched all the lives of those he met. All who knew him will never forget his booming voice, memorable hugs or the lingering smile. A well-intentioned soul, he cared deeply about others and more importantly, he let them know it. He lived a mission-driven life and taught his family to be goal-oriented, to make an effort to leave something of value behind, and to impact others positively.

Frank was a passionate golfer and succeeded in shooting below his age. He loved the strategy, challenge and camaraderie of the sport. Whether practicing his golf swing, throwing a baseball or football, fishing for stripers, or keeping up with his sons and grandchildren, he lived his life on the move.

A world traveler, he circumnavigated the globe on a five month trip-of-his-lifetime in 2000 with his son Hamilton. He loved his sailing trips with family and friends, whether in Maine, the BVIs, or on the Chesapeake.

He was a man of faith and always involved in his church community. He was usually surrounded by his two golden retrievers or at least covered with their fur. He could often be found doing a crossword, reading a great thriller or a mystery. More than anything he especially enjoyed sitting with a drink to watch the setting sun during the summers in Maine with all of his loves by his side: wife, dogs, kids, grandkids and friends. To him, that was truly heaven on earth.

His family invites those who loved him to join in celebration his life. Laughter encouraged.

A celebration of life and reception will be held Sunday, April 3, 5 p.m. in The Players Club at TPC Sawgrass, 110 Championship Way; Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Service in The Blue Heron Room followed by a reception in The Sunset Room.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to one of Frank's favorite charities: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, P.O. Box 234, Boothbay, ME 04537. Donations may be made to the “CMBG Frank W. Brower Jr. Memorial Fund.”

Services under the direction and care of Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home, Jacksonville Beach, Florida.