Frank Lovato

Frank David Lovato, 83, of Florence, Colorado, died on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at his sister Madeline’s home. He was surrounded by his loving family. 

Frank was born on April 14, 1942, in Florence, Colorado, to Frank and Mary (Valdez) Lovato. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Patricia Shivers; brothers, Clifford Lovato and Carl (Andy) Lovato; nephew, Greg Shivers; and niece, Shawna (Lovato) Wells.

He is survived by his brothers, George (Beth) Lovato and Jerry Lovato; his sisters: Kathy (Bob) Stogner, Linda Jeter, and Madeline Lovato; and brother-in-law, Lawerance Shivers. He was gifted with 2 children, David Lovato and Cheryl Niles, 3 grandchildren: John Czemerda, Maria Niles, and Henry Niles, who also survive him, as well as numerous cherished nephews, nieces, and adopted grandchildren.

His memory is a blessing to all his family, and he is deeply missed.

Frank grew up in Rockvale and graduated from Florence High School in 1960. He enjoyed an exciting career. After high school, he enlisted in the US Navy, where he was trained as an engineer where he served as a Navy Tech aboard an aircraft carrier. In the Navy, he traveled to China, Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Hawaii. After the Navy, he worked in Silicon Valley for Fairchild Semiconductor, which was the mothership for many Silicon Valley startups. In the early 1970s, he worked on the F-16 fighter plane, and then he worked for the Naval Undersea Center on anti-submarine warfare systems. In the 1980s, Frank worked inside the mountain at NORAD, first as an Electronics Engineer for Ford Aerospace and then as a Software Test Engineer for Martin Marietta. In the early 1990s, he returned to college and earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at 56. After graduation, he worked for Lockheed Martin, first on satellite solar power systems, then on the Titan Rocket project as a Test Director. He finished his career working as a Software Engineer on the F-35 fighter plane in Fort Worth.

Frank was a gentle man of quiet dignity. He had a lifelong passion for geology and collected many fossils, minerals, crystals, and other cool rocks. He loved hiking and gardening, fishing in his youth, and RVing in his later years. His greatest pleasure came from spending time with and taking his family, his children, and his grandchildren on adventures.  

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caring Sangre de Cristo hospice nurses who provided him comfort during the final weeks of his life. A memorial dinner in his honor will be held on October 26, 2025, at his sister’s home and his ashes will be spread at his favorite location on a later date.

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