Frank Dwayne Donley was born in Downey, California in 1944, the fourth son to James Rayburn and Audrey Liota (Holmes) DONLEY. His family moved to Orange County, where he spent elementary and high school years in Garden Grove. Early in his teens, he developed a love of cars and racing. He became a great mechanic in order to keep himself on the road.

He followed his father and uncle into boat repair. They were wood caulkers. He worked on many famous people’s yachts in Newport Beach, including Ray Milland and Jane Wyman. He also spent many hours on John Wayne’s refurbished minesweeper.

In 1963 he married Jonny Johnson. They had two sons, James Scott and Steven Duke. In 1965 he moved the family north to Seattle, where they were lots of fishing boats and much more work. He was such a good caulker and one of the few young ones he was asked early on to go to Alaska and work for a company there and went several times. He loved Alaska and the experience caused him to explore homesteading. Not being much of a fisherman or hunter, he decided he wanted to become a bush pilot and took a couple years of flying lessons. Lack of funds and new interests took him to different jobs and many new experiences. He was always ready to try anything at least once but ended up spending many years as a truck driver.

After 20 years, raising the family in Washington, in 1986 he and Jonny moved to Phoenix. There he realized how much he had missed the sun. He would never be without a swimming pool after. Moves to Northern California and retirement in Las Vegas allowed him to teach all grandkids to swim and have many great times with friends and family around the pool.

He was not afraid of anything except maybe carnival rides. We think it’s because they didn’t have a steering wheel and he wasn’t the driver. There was little he wouldn’t try and very little he couldn’t fix. Beyond everything that made him special he helped others anyway that he could. He shared what he knew and later faced his many challenges with the strength of spirit that those who know him will never forget. He always saw the best in people and enjoyed conversation with anyone and everyone.

Above all, Frank was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He leaves behind beloved wife Jonny of 63 years and his faithful sons, James, and Steve and favorite daughter-in-law, Carol. His very special grandchildren, Chris(Heather), Reece(Sabrina), Sara, and Hailey and those wonderful great grandsons, Dylan, Christian, Kolton and Walker. He was also a favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Frank never had to look for a party- it always found him, but what made those times special was sharing them with the people he loved. From conversations with friends and family gathering around the pool, he gave us moments we will always treasure. We will miss him deeply and carry the joy he brought into our lives with us always