Richard Oliver Franks, Jr.

Richard Oliver Franks Jr, age 81 of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away at his home on September 27, 2024. He was born in Caney, KS, to parents Richard Oliver and Freida Amy Alice Franks on June 10, 1943.

Mr. Franks grew up in Tyro KS, Caney, KS, and Ponca City, OK. He graduated from Ponca City High School where he ran track and field and played basketball. He then played basketball for two years at Northern Oklahoma College. He attended University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas, where he graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1965, and went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force from 1965-1969.

He married Gloria Diane Franks of Ponca City, OK on June 28, 1968 and they moved to Kansas City, MO. The couple moved to Bartlesville, OK in 1971, where they remained the rest of their lives, both working for Phillips Petroleum.

Mr. Franks was an active member of the University of the Ozarks Alumni Association and Class of ‘61 Ponca City Wildcats. Throughout his life, he played, coached, and enjoyed many sports including soccer, basketball, softball, swimming, bowling, and golf. He served as chair for Green Country Soccer Association for a term, as well as soccer coach and referee. He was active in bowling and softball leagues, served as umpire, and enjoyed golf for many years. He was a member of Disciples of Christ First Christian Church at 6th and Osage in Bartlesville until its closure in 2022. Mr. Franks was a regular weekly volunteer at Hopestone Cancer Support Center of Bartlesville from 2017 to 2022.

Mr. Franks is preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Diane Franks in 2003. He is survived by son: Richard Wayne Franks of Bartlesville, OK, and daughter: Jennifer Lynn Collins and husband Justin Collins of Brisbane, Australia; grandchildren: Olivia Johnson and Macie Collins of Australia, Kole Tate of Destin, FL; ex-wife:  Arvella Franks of Bastrop, TX; brother: James Franks and his wife, Sharon Franks of Oklahoma City; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home Chapel in Bartlesville, OK with Reverend Randy Little officiating. An inurnment of ashes will follow at the Sunnyside Cemetery, Caney KS. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemoriesbartlesville.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Hopestone Cancer Support Center of Bartlesville. www.hopestonecancer.org