Frank

Sowokinos

Frank Rogers Sowokinos, 39, of Oakland, CA and formerly of Grand Forks died November 2, 2015, the victim of a homicide. Frank Aubrey Rogers II was born July 21, 1976, in Stillwater, MN, to Kenneth and Janice (Weinlaeder) Rogers. He and his mother moved to Grand Forks, ND, soon after he was born. Frank was baptized at Trinity Lutheran in Drayton and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran in Grand Forks. He was adopted by his stepfather Joe Sowokinos in 1983. Frank graduated from Grand Forks Central in 1995 and later attended East Tennessee State University. Frank married Jennifer Ochs in 2003 in Grand Forks. They lived in Tennessee and then moved to California, where they divorced. Frank had a black belt in martial arts from the Fire & Water School in Tennessee. He had many talents and was a gifted writer, communicator, and organizer. He did well in telemarketing and was involved in the cannabis industry in California. Frank was proud of the role he played in Occupy Oakland and of his role in bringing a Rainbow gathering to South Dakota in 2015. The time he spent travelling the U.S. in his Jeep, which he invited people to paint, was memorable. Among the many roles Frank had in his life, of which Son, Brother, Uncle, and Husband are just a few, perhaps the greatest was as Friend'. Many people have been moved to call, email, or post their feelings about him. Among the terms used by his friends are unique, loving, cheerful, good-spirited, kind, gentle, supportive, and peaceful. Although he faced many challenges in his life, "He always sought to find the good in everybody." Frank is survived by his parents, Joe and Janice Sowokinos of Grand Forks, his brother and sister-in-law Doug and Diane Sowokinos of Eagan, MN; nephews Matt and Blake; niece Megan; and his grandmother Elizabeth Sowokinos. He also left a great number of friends in Tennessee, Oakland and Grand Forks. He will be greatly missed by many upon whom he made such an indelible impression. Memorial Service: 11:00 AM on Friday, November 13, 2015 in Redeemer Lutheran Church, 815 N. 20th St., Grand Forks, ND