Raymond was born October 13, 1920, in Dublin, Texas, to Helen H. Franks and D.R. Franks Sr. He was married for 66 years to his beloved wife, Ann Elizabeth Ellis Franks, who preceded him in death on December 29, 2014.
Ann and Raymond lived in Brownwood, Texas, from the date of their marriage, July 2, 1948, until 1974 when they moved to Nacogdoches. He was a highly respected and successful pharmaceutical representative for Merck for over 40 years.
Raymond was active in both communities. He was a faithful follower of Christ and a loyal member of the First United Methodist Church of both Brownwood and Nacogdoches. He was a member and past Director of Rotary International and a proud Long Horn, having attended The University of Texas School of Pharmacy prior to WWII.
Raymond was a decorated veteran of WW II. As a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, he served his country proudly as a navigator in B-24s. He flew numerous missions over Germany from Allied bases in England and Ireland and was awarded several medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He is survived by his daughter, Helen Lorine Franks of Giddings, Texas, and a host of nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Harriet Skeen; his son, Dale Franks; his wife, Ann Franks; and his brothers and sisters-in law William R. Ellis Jr. and Mary Lou Ellis, and John D. Allen and Francis Lee Allen.
Raymond loved his family, his Lord and Savior, his church, his many friends and his golf.
A celebration of life service remembering D. Raymond Franks will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2015, at Cason Monk-Metcalf’s Sunset Chapel with Rev. John Bingham and Rev. Trent Oliver officiating. Burial will be on Friday, April 10, 2015, in the family plot at Greenleaf Memorial Cemetery in Brownwood, Texas.
The Chapel will be open for visitors at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, with the service beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Honorary pallbearers are Roy Blake, Billy Willis, Bob Lawson, Tom Huey, Gary Pankratz, Tom Franks, and members of the Open Door Sunday School Class.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ann and Raymond Franks Memorial Fund, c/o Bancorp South, 2400 North St., Nacogdoches, Texas 75965 or First United Methodist Church, 201 East Hospital Street, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961-5251.
Memories and condolences may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.
Services are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, Texas.
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