March 21, 1933 ~ June 25, 2026
Don Franks, 93, of Olton, Texas, died Thursday, June 25, 2026. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Olton with Brother Kyle Streun and Brother David Azam officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Ramage Funeral Directors in Olton. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Ramage Funeral Directors.
Billy Don Franks was born March 21, 1933, in Brownfield, Texas, to Eldon and Jessie Ruth (Kiser) Franks. He graduated from Olton High School in 1950 before attending Texas Tech University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in education with an emphasis in History in 1954.
Don married Helen Miller on August 1, 1954, and they shared nearly 72 years of marriage. He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956 and was stationed at Fort Bliss. Following his military service, he farmed for 25 years before working 15 years at the United States Postal Service General Mail Facility in Lubbock, retiring in 2001.
A lifelong resident of Olton, Don was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, sang Tenor in the choir, and sponsored youth activities, including the church's snow skiing trips and pulling many a teenager behind a boat to water ski. Later in years, you would also find him washing dishes after funerals or delivering sheets of Rice Krispie treats for VBS each summer.
Don continued snow skiing until he was 80 years old. He enjoyed golfing, spending Friday evenings with the domino guys, and supporting Olton athletic teams. Especially in retirement, his love of books kept him a regular customer at the Olton library. In his younger years, he was an active band parent and athletic sponsor when his children were moving through High School spinning miles of cotton candy onto paper holders. Don was known for his warm hugs, charming personality, positive outlook on life, and ornery sense of humor.
Entering his 9th decade did not slow him down. At age 91, he was the Olton Sandhills Parade Marshall being recognized as both the oldest citizen in attendance and having lived in Olton the longest. Also at 91, he was honored and humbled to join the South Plains Honor Flight to Washington DC.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael Don Franks, in 2011; an infant daughter in 1959; a brother, James Eldon Franks; and a sister, Linda Franks Elliott.
Survivors include his wife, Helen Franks of Olton; two sons, Mark Franks and wife, Rosi of Hecken, Germany, and Timothy Franks of Richardson; one daughter, Tamara Franks of Olton; a daughter-in-love, Barbara Franks of Hereford; five grandchildren, Aaron Franks, Desta Mason and husband, Wes, Billy Joe Franks and wife, Eva, Jens Hart and wife, Alexandra, and Dirk Schenkel; and six great-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Olton Volunteer Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 1087, Olton, Texas 79064; the Olton Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 1055, Olton, Texas 79064; or the South Plains Honor Flight, TSPHF, P.O. Box 94787, Lubbock, Texas 79493-4787.