Lawrence Franks, 89

Lawrence A. Franks, age 89, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday afternoon, July 9, 2023 at his home.

He was born August 30, 1933 in Brimfield, Indiana son of the late Newell A. and Grace A. (Disler) Franks.

Mr. Franks resided in Sturgis nearly his entire life and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1951. He furthered his education at Olivet College in Olivet where he was a student for one year before he was drafted into the U.S. Air Force proudly serving his country during the Korean War from February 10, 1953 – February 9, 1957 earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. Returning from serving his country he enrolled at Tri-State College in Angola, where he earned a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1959.

On September 5, 1953 he married Patricia A. Herbert in Angola. She preceded him in death February 19, 1996. On May 26, 2006 he married Susan Baker at the Kikuyu Lodge in South Africa. She preceded him in death February 13, 2023.

His entire working life was in the family business of Burr Oak Tool & Gauge where he held the position of President from 1985-2006. He retired in 2010 and to the present held a seat on the board. He was the holder of 10 United States Patents. Mr. Franks was a world class big game hunter and was the President and owner of Bushman Safaris, Inc. which owns Kikuyu Lodge Game Reserve and Harry Fourie Safaris of South Africa.

Mr. Franks was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis and active member of Meridian Sun-Eagle Lodge #49 F&AM, Columbia 18, York Rite Order of the Temple, Scottish Rite 32nd Degree and Noble at the Mystic Shrine. He was a 64 year member of the Sturgis Kiwanis Club joining in 1959. He served as the club’s president in 1966, chairman of the High School Key Club Committee from 1966-1967, 1966 was the charter year of the Key Club and served as Lieutenant Governor Division 12 Michigan District Kiwanis International 1980-1981.

Mr. Franks was always willing to volunteer his time to the city he loved. He was a member of the Sturgis Planning Board from 1963- 1977, serving as Chairman from 1970-1975 and was reappointed to the board in 1998 serving as Chairman from 1999-2003. He was a member and past Vice President of the City of Sturgis Economic Development Corporation from 1978-2002 and Vice President of the Sturgis Improvement Association from 1978-2002, was a member of the 1896-1996 Centennial Committee as Chairman from 1995-1996, served as President of the Sturgis United Way Fund in 1968, served on the Board of Trustees of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation from 1993-1995 and was honored as Sturgis Citizen of the Year in 2013.

He was instrumental in the founding of the Sturgis Historical Society serving as the Charter President of the Board from 1996-2002 and member to the present.

In 1996 he was elected to the Board of Trustees of Sturgis Bank and Trust serving until 2009. He was a past director of the Citizens Bank in Sturgis and served as Chairman of the Board of Sturgis Bank Corp from 2001-2009.

Mr. Franks took great pride in being a graduate of Tri-State College (later renamed Tri-State University and now known as Trine University). In 1981, Trine University recognized Dr. Franks with its Distinguished Alumnus Award, given each year to an alumnus/ae who has performed outstanding service to society in his or her profession, personal achievement or community; and who has manifest interest in Trine University and has supported it by contributions of time, talent and money; by recruitment of students; or by placement of graduates. He has served as a member of the university’s Board of Trustees since 1984 and served as chair from 1999-2000. The university awarded him an honorary doctorate in engineering in 2001. In 2005, Trine University recognized his and his family’s support of education by naming the Franks School of Education in their honor. That school is now one of the fastest-growing education schools in the state, almost tripling in size from 82 students in fall 2016 to 235 in fall 2022. The school also has continued its record of 100% employment for its graduates seeking teaching positions, now spanning 11 years. In 2007, the Franks Conference Suite inside Sponsel Administration Building was named in his honor. Dr. Franks received Trine’s Pillar of Success Award, which recognizes individuals for their achievements and accomplishments, leadership, service, philanthropy, commitment to their community and profession, and to Trine University, at the 2010 Homecoming celebration.

He is survived by his children: Newell (Kelly) Franks, II and David Franks both of Sturgis, and LeeAnn Franks of Holland, Michigan; grandchildren: Elizabeth (James) Whitehead of Sturgis, Sarah (Kyle) Klooster of Caledonia, MI, Emily (Jason) Halling of Sturgis, Ryan (Mary) Franks of Sturgis, Nathan Franks of San Francisco, Jessica (Edward) Krynak of Olympia, WA, Erin Muse of Sturgis, Laura (Max) Smith of Sturgis, Elise (Justin) Molinaro of Marietta, GA, Erica (Curtis) Lura of Pleasant Grove, UT, Brennan (his fiancée Abby Wulf) McConnell of Cincinnati, Nicholas Franks and Noah Franks both of Provo, UT; great grandchildren: Aidan, Lauren, Lillian, Ella, Isaac, Ian, Finnigan, Liam Whitehead, Katelyn, Andrew, Rachel, Hannah, Jacob and Matthew Halling, Addison, Oliver and Owen Muse, Carter, Cameron and Madison Molinaro, Evelyn and Elias Lura, Claire and Samuel Klooster, Mahala Franks, Viola and Edison Krynak and Archibald and Leopold Smith and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives, daughter: Emily Lorie Franks, November 19, 1958 and brothers: Richard and Tom Franks.

Private family services will be held at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis where a Masonic memorial will take place. Entombment will follow the services at the Franks Mausoleum at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis. Full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Air Force Honor Guards.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial donations be directed to the Patricia A. Franks Council of the Arts Fund or the Sturgis Historical Society Fund or the Kiwanis Club of Sturgis Fund all in c/o: Sturgis Area Community Foundation, 310 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.

We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.