Mike Francisco Franco

Mike Francisco Franco, age 78, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on October 6, 2017, in Dallas, TX. He was born on July 26, 1939 in Dallas, TX to Miguel and Guadalupe (Salas) Franco. Mike graduated from Crozier Tech High School in 1958. He served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in San Antonio, Texas from 1958-1960. He married Cristela Ester Salgado in 1961 and they were happily married for over 40 years until her death in 2002. Mike and Chris adopted two children together, Marcus in 1975 and Melissa in 1978. Mike attended North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) where he majored in Spanish. He then attended The University of Arizona to work on a doctorate in Spanish Literature. He loved his time in Tucson where he was able to golf daily and focus on his studies, two of his favorite things. When Chris' health began to fail, Mike set aside his studies to move back to Dallas. It was then that he began his long career as an educator. He began teaching Social Studies at Spruce High School in 1970. He continued working in the DISD for 46 years. In 1979, he received a Masters in Education with a Major in Counseling from North Texas State University. He then became a guidance counselor and worked in that capacity until 2016. In 2004, Mike married Delia Mendez and was welcomed into a new, large, fun family. They were wonderful companions to each other and enjoyed the last 13 years together. Mike enjoyed golf, music, good food, time with family, and most especially being a father and grandfather to Dylan, Izzy, and Hudson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Miguel and Guadalupe (Salas) Franco, and his wife Cristela. He is survived by his wife, Delia, his son, Marcus Franco, daughter Melissa (Nate) Smith, grandchildren Dylan, Isabelle, and Hudson Smith, his cousin and closest friend and golfing buddy, David Coronado, step-sister Marina Aguilar, several nieces and nephews, and a large and loving extended step-family - Diana (Raymond) Chavez, Estella (Javier) Ceja, Irene (Martin) Sanchez, Alma Ramirez Murphy, Felicia Clayton, and Mario Clayton.