Frank Agusta Commander

Frank Agusta Commander, 85, of Watkinsville, Georgia, was called to his heavenly home on July 22, 2024, while surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 19, 1939, in Fort Pierce, Florida, to Homer Alva Commander and Bernice Ruth (Moore) Commander and grew up in Ponce de Leon, Florida. 

Frank attended Chipola Junior College before graduating from Florida State University in 1961. He married the love of his life, Wilhelmene “Willi” (Richason) Commander, on December 22, 1962, and they have three daughters together. Frank joined the United States Navy and served active duty from 1961 to 1966, later achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander while serving in the Navy Reserves. Frank went on to work for the Naval Intelligence Service (NIS) and achieved his Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Southern California before becoming a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He and Willi and their three girls were blessed to have lived in several different states in addition to England and Puerto Rico during his government service. Upon retiring in 1989, Frank became a licensed real estate agent and Sales Manager for Coldwell Banker Head Realty in Conyers, Georgia, until moving to Big Canoe, Georgia, in 1998. In 2013, Frank and Willi moved to Watkinsville, Georgia, to be closer to family. Frank was an avid tennis player and enjoyed playing the guitar and painting.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Ray Commander and Lawrence Commander; his sister, Sara (Brewton) Avery, and brother-in-law and dear friend, Wilbur Avery; brother-in-law, Keith (Lidia) Richason; nephew, Noah Richason; and great-grandson, Michael Martz. In addition to his wife, Willi, of 61 years, he is survived by daughters Dara (Paul) Buczynsky, Amy (Scott) Martz, and Julie (David) Mauck; fourteen grandchildren: Natalie, Leah, and Cole (Buczynsky), Andrew, Scott, Phillip, Christopher, Jared, Nicholas, and Benjamin (Martz), Cara, Will, Liam, and Lillianne (Mauck); eleven great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Mark (Karen) Richason; and four nieces: Lynn (Avery) Ray, Gina (Avery) Cobb, Lisa (Avery) Baxter, and Lisa (Land) Kupec. He was dearly loved and will be missed by many. 

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast”, I Peter 5:10. The family will be holding a private memorial service to honor his memory. If memorial donations are desired, the family asks they be made to The Tunnel to Towers Foundation at T2T.org.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com