Hildon "Ray" Franks

Hildon Ray Franks forever known as Ray-Ray was born January 26, 1938 to Lawson K and Iler Mae Franks in Guin Alabama and passed away July 7, 2021. While working for Unit Drilling he met Gwen Franks in Booker, Tx in early 1969 on a blind date and they were married July 12, 1969 in Tulsa Oklahoma.  After deciding he had worked in the oil patch enough he leased the Phillips gas station in Darrouzett.  Shortly thereafter they moved to Follett where he opened Follett Oil Company (Champlin) until he retired. He spent most of his summers and almost any extra free time at Canton Lake trying to see how many fish he could catch.  This is where all of his lake friends found out about his nickname Ray-Ray so they were all in too. He loved to joke around with friends and family except when it came to politics. His favorite time of year was early May when the crappie were spawning when he and Bill Lindsay would climb into their tubes and fish the day away.  He was a great cook especially when it came to fish and he could cook a 7 course meal in 1 pan.  He was a people person and never met a stranger or an opportunity to help someone. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Earlene, brothers Raymond, Waymond, Billy Gene, and Lee, and son Michael Ray. He is survived by his wife Gwen, sister Dale Lindsay (husband Bill of Claremore, Ok), brother Willard (wife Debbie of Claremore,OK), sons Randy (wife Becky of Tulsa Ok) and Gene (wife Terri of Darrouzett, TX) and Daughter Erin of Amarillo, TX, grandchildren Shaelee, Christina, Christopher, Rebekah, Michael Jr, Sarah, Jason, Brandon, Jared, Jessica, Sheldon,  Sierra, Sheridan, Shayne, Sheyenne and many great grandchildren.