of North Little Rock, AR

December 1, 1932 - February 1, 2021

Frank A. Fowlkes, 88, of North Little Rock, passed away on Feb. 1, 2021.

Frank was born in Hackensack, NJ on Dec. 1, 1932 to Johnnie Emma and Frank Fowlkes Sr. The family moved to Arkansas in 1938 where they lived on a farm near McCrory. As a young boy, Frank helped the family by picking cotton and once even earned a new leather jacket from his grandmother by picking 100 pounds of cotton in a single day! In 1942, his family moved to Jacksonville where he eventually took his first job sacking groceries at Stacy Grocery in NLR.

After graduating from Jacksonville High School, Frank joined the Marine Reserve Unit thinking he would enjoy summer camp and beaches in North Carolina. Instead, his unit was activated and he received a free trip to Korea with a brief stop in Japan. Frank proudly and courageously served with Marine Rifle Company B, 5th Regiment on the Korean front. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal, Japanese Occupation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Campaigning Ribbon, 2 Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation Award. In 1952, he was released from active duty with a deep appreciation for life and country and with a brotherhood of friends that he kept in contact with until his final days.

Following his military service and with the help of the GI bill, Frank attended Little Rock Junior College and then University of Arkansas where he majored in Accounting. His lifetime career in business led him to positions with CIT Finance, Manhattan Credit and Eagle Property. In 1979, Frank spearheaded the start of Eagle Mortgage Company serving as Vice President for ten years and then President for the remainder of his career, retiring in 1997.

Frank attended First United Methodist Church and was a longtime member of the Builders Sunday School class. Over the years he served as bus driver, usher, teacher, and a member of numerous committees. Additionally, Frank was a member of Mt. Sinai and Sylvan Hills Lodges, serving as Past Master for the former in 1980.

Frank's family believes his greatest legacy and impact was his unconditional and sacrificial love and devotion to his family. He deeply loved his wife, was very proud of his children and adored his grandchildren. He was truly a family man in every sense of the word, constantly building up and affirming his loved ones. He instilled in his children and grandchildren the importance of an education, strong work ethic, being a good steward of resources, honesty, and love of God and family.

Frank is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 59 years, Liz Fowlkes; children, Craig Fowlkes of Houston, TX, Jennifer Fowlkes Vassar of Houston, TX and Alison (Adam) Monroe of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Hannah and Lauren Monroe of Raleigh, NC, and Thomas, Samuel and Elizabeth Vassar of Houston, TX; sister, Nancy Mack of Old Washington; brother, John Walter (Sue) Fowlkes of Hensley; sisters-in-law, Tish Fulenwider of Hot Springs, Jeanetta (Don) Teague of Palestine, TX and Rosemary Fowlkes of Monroe, LA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Fowlkes; sister, Polly Tolliver; and brothers-in-law, Don Fulenwider and Buddy Mack.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 4, at 10:30 A.M. at Roller-Owens Funeral Home in NLR. A visitation will be held one-hour prior to services. A private internment will follow at Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery.

Due to COVID restrictions, all attendees are required to provide and wear masks during services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to NLR First United Methodist Church or Arkansas Children's Hospital

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