Tommy Joe Franks

Funeral services for Tommy Foe Franks, 70, of Portales, will be at 2:00 PM, Tues., Aug. 27, 2019 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Portales with Bishop Mark Summers officiating.  Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with James Saniger, Andrew Saniger, Brody Saniger, James Hancock, Scott Jones, Jay Draper, Joe Draper and Jerry Draper serving as pallbearers.

Tommy Joe Franks was born in Portales, NM on April 25, 1949 to the home of T.L. Franks and Dortha Mae Franks.  He grew up in New Mexico and Arkansan. He graduated from Melrose, High School in May of 1967 and quickly joined the military. He served for 4 years in the Army and did a tour in Vietnam.  After returning home, he went right to work driving an eighteen wheeler which he continued for the rest of his life.  In 1975, he married the love of his life Beth Elliott.  They later adopted their daughters in 1981 and 1993.  Tommy was a kind man who was quick to help anyone with any kind of need.  He loved to ride his bicycle.  It was very common for him to ride 30 to 40 miles in a day.  He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Tommy loved to play pranks and joke around with everyone. There was no shortage of laughter when he was around.  He was loved by so many and will be sorely missed.

Tommy is survived by his wife Beth Franks of the home; daughters, Leiann Saniger and husband James of Maryville, TN and Danielle Franks of Portales; grandchildren, Andrew, Emma, Paisley, Brody, Hadley and Oliver of Maryville, TN; sisters, Dallas Draper of Melrose, Betty Lynn Hoskins of Tucson, AZ, and Melba Hollaway and husband Gary of Melrose; brothers, Neal Franks of Big Springs, TX, and David Brown of Melrose; brother-in-law, Roger Winch of Las Vegas, NV; sisters-in-law, Vicki Herrington of Afton, OK, Carol Coleman and husband Bill of Clovis, and Bettiruth McKee and husband Tom of Coleman, AB CA; mother-in-law, Diana Elliott of Clovis, and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

He is preceded in death by his parents, T.L. Franks and Dortha Kilmer; sisters, Dottie Winch and Billie Sue Gray; brother-in-law, Milt Herrington, Sr.; father-in-law, Ray Elliott, and step fathers, W.W. Brown and Leroy Kilmer.

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