Frank Slowey Jr.

December 18, 1929 – June 11, 2014

J. Frank Slowey Jr., of Bryan, Texas died at his home on Wednesday, June 11, 2014. He was 84. A fourth generation Texan, he was born December 18, 1929, in Bryan, the youngest child of James Frank Slowey Sr. and Nannie Aline Cobb. He was a member of Stephen F. Austin High School, Class of 1947 and attended Texas A&M College, where, as a member of the Class of 1951, he received his B.S. in Chemistry.

Following graduation from Texas A&M, he served with distinction in the United States Navy as an Explosive Ordnance Officer and Diver. He was instrumental in writing the Navy Diving Manual, whose section on scuba diving served as the primary reference for a generation of scuba divers throughout the world.

After leaving the service, he worked for Jet Research in Arlington, Texas, where he engaged in the research and development of perforating shape charges as used by the petroleum industry.

Combining his love of chemistry and the sea, he returned to Texas A&M where he received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Oceanography. During his career he worked for the Naval Oceanographic Office in Washington, D.C. as well as teaching at Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University and Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. He retired from the Department of Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M in 1989. He was renowned throughout the academic world for his expertise in the field of Heavy Metals pollution and its effects upon marine and coastal estuarine environments.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Frances, his children, son James F. Slowey, III and daughter Susan C. Slowey, as well as numerous nieces and a nephew. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brazos Valley Hospice or the charity of your choice.

Expression of condolences can be made at callawayjones.com