Condolence: Please accept my condolences on the passing of your father, Mr. Franks. It was an honor to have known such a great person and I, like Phil Lyddon, remember the day that Mr. Franks told our class about JFK being assasinated. I was unsure what it meant. Several of the girls in class ran to the bathroom crying. I too remember going outside and watching the flag being lowered and then being dismissed.

I also remember his big smile. His big voice. His sincere interest in what you were doing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Scott Hukari

Condolence: First of all, I want to express my sincere condolences to the family. I know he was as proud of all of you as you certainly are of him. May God give you comfort during this time of sorrow.

I have enjoyed reading the comments and tributes already shared by those who were fortunate enough to have known or to have been taught by such a great man as Mr. Franks.
Peggy I agree with you, he will always be Mr. Franks to me as well. Even in recent years, I could not call him by his first name. It just didn't seem right to me.

Mr. Franks was my Principal during grades 2-4 and my 4th grade teacher at Parkdale Primary School. I have many memories of the time spent in his classroom, two of which I will share.

The first event took place on a Friday morning in late November of 1963. I remember the sky being grey but it wasn't raining. It really didn't matter because the weekend was coming and in those days a little rain didn't keep us inside very often.
Mr. Franks was speaking to us when he was interrupted and called out of the classroom. Before he left, he told us to remain quiet and in our seats. Two of my classmates (I'll call them C.G. and B.C.) always pushed the envelope and that Friday morning was no exception.
Mr. Franks remained out of the room for only a few minutes and returned with a very solemn and saddened look on his face. He asked that we all listen closely to what he was going to say. He bowed his head for a moment as if to collect his thoughts then looked up. His lips were trembling and tears were streaming down his face as he spoke these words as I recall them, "a short time ago, our President was shot and has died." The classroom fell completely silent. Even as fourth graders, we knew this was something horrible; especially horrible because it had made even Mr.Franks cry.
He went on to explain more of the details as he knew them but at that time, details were still limited.
He announced that school would be let out early but we were to quietly follow him to the front of the school and gather with all of the other students. Once all classes were assembled, we watched as the American Flag was lowered to half staff in honor of President Kennedy. Once the flag was lowered, Mr. Franks asked that we bow our heads then he said a prayer asking God to be with the Kennedy family and the Nation.
It was many years later that I learned Mr. Franks was not overly fond of some of JFK's policies but on that day and for some time thereafter, he was truly grief stricken as was the entire country. Because of his actions on that gloomy day, I was compelled to read every newspaper I could get my hands on as updates were given about this horrific event. To this day, I still have all of those newspapers.

The second event took place on a freshly snow covered playground on a cold January day during noon recess in 1964. As kids do when snow is on the ground, snowballs get thrown and as usual some 4th grade boys can throw snowballs better than others. I was not a good snowball thrower but was quite good at dodging them and at building snow forts to hide behind. That was my mission along with a few other bad snowball throwers.
While working at a quick pace to build our fort and while completely minding our own business, I was randomly attacked from behind by a girl who will be known only as H.J.
Without warning, I was suddenly face down, in deep snow, with a whole crowd of boys and girls laughing heartily at me for being beat up by a girl. In a nutshell, I was humiliated while H.J. was being treated as though she had just slayed a fierce dragon. As I turned over, I knew instantly that I had to retaliate or face certain further humiliation. I watched as H.J. slowly walked away to garner further praise and found my chance for redemption. Without hesitation I jumped to my feet, brushed the remaining packed snow from my face, and rushed up behind H.J. giving her a mighty shove from behind.
Subsequently, H.J. landed face down in a heap and I now felt a whole lot better.... that is until she started to cry. Well, it didn't take long for word of my actions to reach Mr. Franks. I was ushered into his office where an infamous paddle hung menacingly on the wall. Clearly I was about to meet the "Board of Education!" He calmly removed the hole filled paddle and asked that I bend over and hold onto the arms of his office chair. I tried to defend myself by saying " H.J. pushed me first!" But in true Mr. Franks fashion he said, "Phillip... it is never, under any circumstance, OK for a boy to hit a girl." Again he asked that I hold onto the arms of his chair this time telling me, "this is going to hurt me more than it does you." Again, I tried to get out of the situation by saying "then don't do it!"
That tactic did not work either; I ended up getting four well spaced and firmly planted swats that day and yes, it did hurt. But I took his words to heart and to this day fifty one years later, H.J. is the last girl I ever pushed although I did throw holly berries at B.H. and ended up getting another visit to Mr. Franks office to once again meet with the school "Board." As it turns out, pushing and throwing things at girls are the same thing... Thank you Mr. Franks, point taken.

In my eyes, Mr. Franks was truly a man among men meaning he was remarkable and stood out from others. My hope is that kids today will be blessed with teachers like him. In later years he always greeted me with his warm broad smile, his firm handshake, sometimes a hug, and of course... some story telling.

Condolence: I am so sorry for your loss. He will always be "Mr. Franks" to me. I will miss his always ready smile, no matter where he was; Gerhigs, the restaurant, driving down the road....Rest In Peace, Mr. Franks....

Condolence: So sorry to hear of Ford's passing. He was truly a great man. Ford was my fourth grade teacher and principal at Parkdale Primary. I can remember he was kind and tough. He expected you to do the right thing and was clear about what that was. Students wanted to please Mr. Franks! A sign of a very good teacher.
After I became an adult, I used to see Ford around, mostly in Odell having lunch or coffee at one of the restaurants. He was always quick with a smile and a handshake. We would want to know how I was doing and how my family was.
I feel blessed to have had him as a teacher, a principal and a friend.

Condolence: Ford was such a solid man: friendly, caring, and genuine. When I was the postmaster in Odell, he stopped in everyday to say hello. I considered him the unelected Mayor of the town.

My sincere condolences to Kathy and family.

Condolence: Cathy and family-just wanted you to know
how sad I was to see of Ford's death.
I know he's with Jesus now, but letting them
go-on to heaven- can be difficult, can't it?
My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
In Christ's Love, Tom

Condolence: Kathy, Krissy & family....my heart breaks for your loss. Ford was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and friend. I feel blessed to have known him. I can't remember a time when he didn't have a smile and a kind word for me. And I too remember he could "wiggle" his ears. Hugs & love to you all ♡

Condolence: So very,very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Condolence: My heart is broken. My deepest sympathies to the family. When I was in the first grade I became ill in class and Mr Franks carried me to the office. So caring! In the 4th grade he showed us he could wiggle his ears. So funny. His great smile! He will be missed by so many.

Condolence: My very first teacher in 4th grade at Mid Valley Elementary School when I moved from The Dalles to Hood River. Sitting in a classroom in the 4th grade scared and this wonderful man comes and sits next to me and hugs me and says..."It's ok, I'm new here to and we are going to be just fine". Never forget that moment and then to find out he had just lost his first wife and he was the one comforting me.
To this day, he knew my name and never forgot to hug me.
There is no replacement for Mr. Franks. Loved him dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Terri