Jimi Frank (Surfdog) of Blue Mountain Beach, Florida, age 58, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, November 13, 2023.

Jimi was born and raised in Belleville, Illinois, son of Fred and Gerry (Hindman) Frank on April 25, 1965, and from a very young age developed a passion for the beach while taking family vacations in Tampa. As soon as he could drive, he would do a quick "turn and burn" to Panama City Beach just to get his feet in the sand and salt water, dreaming of one day living on the Gulf Coast.

Jimi graduated from Belleville East High School in 1983 and Lewis and Clark College where he earned his Associate's Degree in Radio Broadcasting in 1985. After he graduated, he was hired at WIBV AM 1260 where he was nicknamed "the Young American". After leaving WIBV he went to WRXX 97.3 FM in Centralia, IL.

Jimi was an original Jimmy Buffett fan, sharing a mixtape with his sister Terry, which in turn lead to a purchase of a sailboat where they all learned to sail at Carlyle Lake. Creating a greater pull to move south to the beach for that laid back beach lifestyle.

January 29, 1994, he married Cindy Reed and they were able to make those dreams come true moving to Blue Mountain Beach, Florida that fall where they reside to this day.

Jimi never met a stranger, he would give the shirt off his back to help anyone. He lived life on his terms and went out the same way. He was a friend to generations of neighbors and visitors alike, an anchor of the Blue Mountain Beach community. He developed friendships with a cast of characters in those early days and has become the local legend of our time here.

Jimi lived and worked beach life, having a career with the South Walton Tourist Development Council doing Beach Maintenance for over 20 years.

His proudest accomplishments were his children, Little Jimmy, 27 (Miller, 28) and Jonathan, 20.

Jimi had many titles and wore many hats. He was a husband, father, father-in-law, son, grandson, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle, godfather, and friend.

He was an avid reader, sailor, surfer, fisherman, storyteller craftsman, musician historian, ultimate jokester, chef/grill master, radio broadcaster, and pirate.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Woody and Eileen Hindman; and mother-in-law Paula Klein.

Jimi is survived by his wife Cindy (Reed) Frank; sons Jimmy (Miller) Frank and Jonathan Frank; parents Fred and Gerry Frank; brother Bobbie (Cheri) Frank; sister Terry (Bob) Elden; brother-in-law Brian (Shawna) Reed; sister-in-law Amy (Andy) Allen; father-in-law Adrian (Linda) Reed; blood brother Johnny (Dana) Moore; nephews Joel (Emily) Elden, Justin (Marija) Elden, Mason Allen, Henry Reed; nieces Katie (Eli) Sneed, Kennedy Allen, Stella Reed; great-niece Isla Elden; great-nephews Caleb and Wyatt Sneed; and goddaughter Cayla (Andrew) Clarkson.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date, to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family or to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/ honoring his late mother-in-law Paula Klein and friend Doug Krummel.