Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Richard Franks, age 86, of Hart, Texas, passed away May 8, 2024, in Dimmitt. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held Saturday, May 25, at 10 a.m. in the Colonial Funeral Home Chapel in Dimmitt with Coby Gilbreath officiating. Arrangements and Cremation Services have been entrusted to the Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt.
Richard was born May 2, 1938, in Bell County, to Dean and Julia (Ellis) Franks. He attended school in Gatesville and was a 1956 Gatesville High School graduate. He furthered his education at Texas Tech University, graduating in 1961 with a bachelors degree, and then received a master’s degree from Louisiana State University in 1963. Richard began his long-time career with Wilbur Ellis in Donna, which later moved him to Hart in 1963.
Richard was a member of the Hart Lions Club, First Baptist Church of Hart and Hart Senior Citizens. Richard also served a term as mayor of Hart.
Richard loved to rope and play tennis, which he learned to play in his 40s. He was a straightforward man who told it like it was, or how he thought it was, and enjoyed telling a good joke, especially an Aggie joke.
Those left to cherish his memories are brother, Gerald Franks and his wife, Patsy, of Hart; sister, Judy Whitt and her husband, Jimmy of Hamilton; two grandchildren, Brody Gilbert of Pampa, and Sydney Westin of Austin; two son in-law’s, Mark Gilbert of Pampa, and Eddie Westin of Lubbock; longtime companion Mary Lockhart; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Julia Franks; wife, Carlyn Franks; and two daughters, Laurey Gilbert and Lesley Westin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West Texas Rehabilitation, 3001 S. Jackson, San Angelo, TX 76904, Ronald Mc Donald House of Amarillo, 1501 Steit Drive, Amarillo, TX 79106, or a charity of your choice.
