Maurice Rudolph Franks

Maurice Rudolph Joseph Michael Franks passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Wednesday the 14th of August 2024. He is survived by his three daughters, Dominique, Yvette and Moira who will miss him deeply.

It is safe to say that our lives will have a little less colour following his passing. It is not unkind to mention that Maurice had his eccentricities. They were evident to all who met him, yet they also endeared him to so many. A lawyer of almost 60 years and law professor at Southern University for 27 years, he touched the lives of thousands. He was a bulldog in a courtroom and an intimidating adversary, but he also had other accomplishments. He was a proud father to his 3 children. Assistant District Attorney in New Orleans in the 1960s and District Attorney in Pueblo, Colorado in the 1970s and 1980s, he was unusually licensed to practice law in about 15 states, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. His licences are not confined to the legal profession as he was also a licenced pilot and flew search and rescue missions in the Rocky Mountains for the Civil Air Patrol in the 1970s and 1980s as well as flying aid missions in his own plane to the island of Haiti in the Caribbean.

Known for his intellect, he was a member of Mensa and a scholar to the end. He did not limit his interests to the law and was a true polymath. He had a keen interest in physics and astronomy and was President of the Baton Rouge Astronomical Society. He had been a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada since 1955. He was an amateur meteorologist, but could predict the weather like a wizard and he was a keen photographer, even establishing dark rooms in some of his homes. A published author, he wrote legal texts, texts about physics and astronomy and even dabbled in fiction. Always working and never one to be idle, in his 80s and in need of something to do, he turned his hand to private investigation. As one does.

Maurice was a man of deep faith and a memorial service will be held for him at St Luke’s Church in Baton Rouge on Thursday, August the 29th at 3pm. His family welcome all who would like to join them in remembrance. To mark his affinity for his Irish heritage and his love of the colour, please wear a small splash of green, if you are able. In lieu of flowers, please share a memory.

As a nod of respect to Maurice’s renowned attention to detail, the author of this obituary invites grammatical corrections, however, they must be marked up in green fountain pen. You are asked to submit them at the funeral and the author will duly rewrite this obituary.

Please remember him with fondness.