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In Memory of
Ford
Franks
Franks
1919 - 2015
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Anderson's Tribute Center
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
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Memorial Candle Tribute From
Phil Lyddon
"Great men leave lasting impressions on many... Mr. Franks was a great man"
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Life Story for Ford Franks
Clarence Ford Franks, of Odell, passed peacefully Sunday while surrounded by family, at Hood River Providence Hospital. He was 95 years old.
Ford was born in Texas and moved with his parents to San Francisco in 1940. During WWII, Ford served his country as a B-17 pilot and retired from the Air Force with the rank of Major. He earned a Bachelors of Education from the University of San Francisco and Masters of Education from USC. However, he remained loyal to the Texas Longhorns throughout his life.
Ford married his first wife, Kay in San Francisco in 1948. In 1958 Ford moved his family to Parkdale and took a teaching position at the Parkdale Elementary School. He served as the 4th grade teacher and principal for many years before transferring to Mid Valley to finish his career. He taught school in the Hood River County School District for 33 years. Ford was loved by his students and in his retired years, he enjoyed reviewing class pictures and telling us stories from his many years as principal and teacher.
He married our beloved Nana, Kathy Garner, in 1971. They enjoyed 44 years together and sharing their faith and commitment to family. Ford was a faithful husband and a caring and loving father and grandfather. His family was the center of his life and he and Kathy loved having their girls and grandchildren visit.
Life was rarely confusing for this Texan. He read his Bible regularly and based his decisions on the wisdom and guidance he found there. He walked through his life quietly, living what he believed. The gentle, strong, humerous, wise man you knew in public was the same man we knew at home..his integrity and character never faltered, his word was his bond. He enjoyed nature, reading, teaching and gathering at Gehrig’s Chevron to discuss politics.
Ford is preceeded in death by his son, Kenneth and his first wife Kay. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Franks; daughters Kathy Obilana and Becky Franks of Hood River; Kristina and, his favorite son-in-law, Jason Worsham of Parkdale. Grandchildren Jason Obilana, Keith and Candice Obilana, Marcia Obilana, Ben Wadman, Jon Wadman, Sam Wadman; Brigid DePriest, Jocelyn Worsham; and Great Grandaughter, Emma Obilana.
Ford was inurned at Idlewild Cemetary Tuesday, June 23 during a private family service. Please visit the Ford Franks Memorial page on Facebook and share your stories.
Our family and our community has lost a great man.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The American Cancer Society and the Hood River Education Foundation.
We would like to express our appreciation to the Odell EMTs, and Providence Hood River Hospital for their gentle and respectful care of Ford; and to Anderson Tribute Center, and Bob Huskey for their assistance and flexibility during this time of grief. We have been greatly comforted by the stories and condolences of former students and friends, thank you.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386-1000.
Ford was born in Texas and moved with his parents to San Francisco in 1940. During WWII, Ford served his country as a B-17 pilot and retired from the Air Force with the rank of Major. He earned a Bachelors of Education from the University of San Francisco and Masters of Education from USC. However, he remained loyal to the Texas Longhorns throughout his life.
Ford married his first wife, Kay in San Francisco in 1948. In 1958 Ford moved his family to Parkdale and took a teaching position at the Parkdale Elementary School. He served as the 4th grade teacher and principal for many years before transferring to Mid Valley to finish his career. He taught school in the Hood River County School District for 33 years. Ford was loved by his students and in his retired years, he enjoyed reviewing class pictures and telling us stories from his many years as principal and teacher.
He married our beloved Nana, Kathy Garner, in 1971. They enjoyed 44 years together and sharing their faith and commitment to family. Ford was a faithful husband and a caring and loving father and grandfather. His family was the center of his life and he and Kathy loved having their girls and grandchildren visit.
Life was rarely confusing for this Texan. He read his Bible regularly and based his decisions on the wisdom and guidance he found there. He walked through his life quietly, living what he believed. The gentle, strong, humerous, wise man you knew in public was the same man we knew at home..his integrity and character never faltered, his word was his bond. He enjoyed nature, reading, teaching and gathering at Gehrig’s Chevron to discuss politics.
Ford is preceeded in death by his son, Kenneth and his first wife Kay. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Franks; daughters Kathy Obilana and Becky Franks of Hood River; Kristina and, his favorite son-in-law, Jason Worsham of Parkdale. Grandchildren Jason Obilana, Keith and Candice Obilana, Marcia Obilana, Ben Wadman, Jon Wadman, Sam Wadman; Brigid DePriest, Jocelyn Worsham; and Great Grandaughter, Emma Obilana.
Ford was inurned at Idlewild Cemetary Tuesday, June 23 during a private family service. Please visit the Ford Franks Memorial page on Facebook and share your stories.
Our family and our community has lost a great man.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The American Cancer Society and the Hood River Education Foundation.
We would like to express our appreciation to the Odell EMTs, and Providence Hood River Hospital for their gentle and respectful care of Ford; and to Anderson Tribute Center, and Bob Huskey for their assistance and flexibility during this time of grief. We have been greatly comforted by the stories and condolences of former students and friends, thank you.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386-1000.
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