Frank Rowlands, 80, of Dalton, died Tuesday evening at Allied Hospice, Scranton. He was preceded in death by his partner, Beverly J. Hontz-Rowlands.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late William and Romayne Wilcox Rowlands. He was a proud Veteran of the United States Army Special Forces Green Beret serving in Vietnam and, prior to his retirement, he was a truck driver for Keystone Automotive. 

Throughout his life, Frank took pride in many things: foremost, his unwavering love of his country as an Army veteran. Also, his love for his girls, devoting time to share weekly Saturday lunches and shopping trips. Frank shared his love of softball by coaching the Lake Winola girls’ teams, times which included his own daughter, and then sharing his knowledge and skills with his granddaughters when they began to play. He spent countless hours cheering on his granddaughters as they pursued their talents outside of the diamond too. He was a frequent guest at local casinos and became a master at claw machine games, bringing home hundreds of stuffed animals, which he later donated to charities at Christmas time. A long-standing hobby for Frank was collecting classic cars and he made it his mission to complete the restoration of a 1969 Camaro that his son Jason had started just before his passing in 2012. 

Surviving are a daughter, Melissa Spencer of Nanticoke; two grandchildren, Ashley Rake of Taylor and Maddie Spencer of Nanticoke; a loving partner, Maria and her children; a brother, Joseph Rowlands and wife, Sheila of Tunkhannock; and several nieces and nephews. Also surviving is Amy Roberts of Florida who Frank loved as a second daughter. 

He was preceded in death by his son Jason in 2012; and two brothers, Thomas and William.

As per his wishes, there will be no public visiting hours. A graveside service with military honors will be held at the Fairview Cemetery in Elmhurst, at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Clarks Summit. 

 

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