IN LOVING MEMORY OF
James Howard
Franks
November 20, 1957 – December 27, 2015
Obituary
James Franks
James Howard Franks died peacefully at his home in Denton on December 27, 2015 after many months of cancer treatment. He was 58.
James was born in Okemah, Oklahoma on November 20, 1957. He lived his early years in Oklahoma and Arkansas, but moved to Denton in 1965 where he lived until his death.
He is survived by his mother, Malinda McMillen Clark of Bernice, Oklahoma, his father, Gene Franks of Denton, a sister, Julie Franks, also of Bernice, Oklahoma, his son, Joshua Franks, of Denton, and his half-brother Joe Franks of Denton. His younger brother, Geoff Franks, died in 2007.
James was a very sociable man with a kind and generous nature. Consequently, he leaves behind a very large number of friends and acquaintances. These include colleagues and customers from his work at Adams Exterminating Co. in Lewisville, where he was employed for the past 16 years, and from his years as manager of Denton County Independent Hamburger Co. on the square in Denton.
James was a man of many interests. He was a life-long baseball enthusiast--not just as an outstanding player in Denton's boys baseball program and as a fan, but as someone who really loved and understood the game. He loved dogs and cats, always had one or two, and found homes for many others. Walking his dogs was an obligation and a passion: he walked his two dogs, literally, until the day he died.
James spent much of his time from his early teens until his death listening to, writing, and performing music. A self-trained musician, he was known in Denton as a left-handed guitar player and blues singer. He always had a band—from the original trio playing "Stairway to Heaven" (again and again and again) in the family living room to the most recent James Franks Band that performed at the Denton Jazz Festival. He would want to thank current band members and old friends Mike Walsh, Clint Dobbs, Ritch Wright, Zeb Ernest, and Troy Davila for their friendship and support during his final months.
James will be missed. His passing leaves a serious hole in the universe.
James' body has been cremated. No immediate service is planned, but please look for a memorial celebration in Denton later this year.
James Howard Franks died peacefully at his home in Denton on December 27, 2015 after many months of cancer treatment. He was 58.
James was born in Okemah, Oklahoma on November 20, 1957. He lived his early years in Oklahoma and Arkansas, but moved to Denton in 1965 where he lived until his death.
He is survived by his mother, Malinda McMillen Clark of Bernice, Oklahoma, his father, Gene Franks of Denton, a sister, Julie Franks, also of Bernice, Oklahoma, his son, Joshua Franks, of Denton, and his half-brother Joe Franks of Denton. His younger brother, Geoff Franks, died in 2007.
James was a very sociable man with a kind and generous nature. Consequently, he leaves behind a very large number of friends and acquaintances. These include colleagues and customers from his work at Adams Exterminating Co. in Lewisville, where he was employed for the past 16 years, and from his years as manager of Denton County Independent Hamburger Co. on the square in Denton.
James was a man of many interests. He was a life-long baseball enthusiast--not just as an outstanding player in Denton's boys baseball program and as a fan, but as someone who really loved and understood the game. He loved dogs and cats, always had one or two, and found homes for many others. Walking his dogs was an obligation and a passion: he walked his two dogs, literally, until the day he died.
James spent much of his time from his early teens until his death listening to, writing, and performing music. A self-trained musician, he was known in Denton as a left-handed guitar player and blues singer. He always had a band—from the original trio playing "Stairway to Heaven" (again and again and again) in the family living room to the most recent James Franks Band that performed at the Denton Jazz Festival. He would want to thank current band members and old friends Mike Walsh, Clint Dobbs, Ritch Wright, Zeb Ernest, and Troy Davila for their friendship and support during his final months.
James will be missed. His passing leaves a serious hole in the universe.
James' body has been cremated. No immediate service is planned, but please look for a memorial celebration in Denton later this year.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Howard Franks, please visit our flower store.
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