Life Legacy
Thomas Daniel Franks of Nacogdoches, Texas was born January 29, 1932 in Stockman, Shelby County, Texas, and died December 31, 2018 in Tyler, Texas.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years Dorothy Smith Franks; son and daughter-in-law Carl and Ginger Franks of Woden; daughter and son-in-law Luanna and Jerry Adams of Houston; son and daughter-in-law Scott and Carolyn Franks of Hudson; daughter and son-in-law Rhonda and Jay Richardson of Nacogdoches; sister Lurlene Franks Boyett of Stockman, Texas; brother and sister-in-law Truman and Cathie Franks of Selma; grandchildren Jamie and Shawn Askey of Lufkin, Randy and Kaylee Franks of Dubai, Whitney and James Frazier of Nacogdoches, Meredith and Jerry Fehlker of Spring, Seth and Kalyn Franks of Lufkin, Anna and Hollis Smith of Rosenberg, and Jessica, Jenna, and Katelyn Richardson of Nacogdoches; great-grandchildren Kayne and Klaire Askey, Jolee Grace Conner, Jack Fehlker, and Addilyn Franks; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his son Thomas Daniel Franks, Jr. and his parents Bernard D. and Anna Belle Ramsey Franks.
Thomas Daniel Franks graduated from Timpson High School in 1948 and from Stephen F. Austin State College in 1951. He began his lifelong career in education with the Brazosport ISD where he was an elementary teacher and assistant principal from 1951-56. After earning a masters’ degree in Education from the University of Houston in 1956, he taught at Westminster College and Bible Institute in Tehuacana, Texas from 1956-58. He pursued a Doctor of Education degree from Indiana University at Bloomington during 1958-61, while also teaching at Fairview Elementary in Bloomington from 1959-1961. Following a teaching appointment at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater during 1961-63, he completed his doctorate from Indiana University and joined the Elementary Education faculty at his alma mater, SFASU. Dr. Franks became Chair of the Department in 1965, Associate Dean of Education in 1990, and Dean of Education in 1992. He retired in August 2000.
Dr. Franks was the recipient of both the Distinguished Professor and Distinguished Alumnus awards by SFA. He also received awards for Outstanding TRTA Membership Recruitment by the Nacogdoches County Retired Teachers Association; the United Way for Board Chair service; the Ted Booker Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education; and Region VII Education Service Center for service on the EPII Coordinating Board.
Appreciation for devoted and invaluable service was made to Dr. Franks by the Texas Student Education Association; 30 Years of Service to SFASU; Texas Student Education Association; Texas Association for the Improvement in Reading; Shady Grove Cemetery Association; Nacogdoches ISD Board of Trustees; and the Region 13 Education Service Center. His professional association memberships included Phi Delta Kappa professional fraternity; Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education; National Education Association and Texas State Teacher Association lifetime memberships. During his career, he was also a member of the Noon Lions Club, served on the NISD Board of Trustees, and was a charter member of the Stephen F. Austin State University Vista Club.
Among the numerous contributions made during his career, Dr. Franks took great pride in his part to bring a doctoral program in educational leadership to SFA; the establishment of the SFA/NISD Charter School; the expansion of the SFA Early Childhood Laboratory; and the passage of the bond issue that resulted in the construction of the present Nacogdoches High School.
In retirement, Dr. Franks enjoyed serving the Timpson Area Genealogical and Historical Society with interesting programs and providing leadership on the Board of Directors. He served on the Board of the Shady Grove Cemetery Association and was responsible for acquiring the marking of historical designation of the cemetery.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Nacogdoches from 1963 until his death, where he taught Sunday School, sang in the Chancel Choir, and served in numerous leadership positions through the years. Tom Franks was a founding member of the Heart to Heart Chorus and also sang in the Joyful Sound Choir.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Jeff McDonald officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Laird Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Shawn Askey, Jerry Fehlker, Seth Franks, Hollis Smith, Kevin Hurley, and Eck Franks.
Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Randy Franks.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The SFASU Alumni Association’s B.D. and Anna Franks Scholarship Fund or the First United Methodist Church of Nacogdoches.
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