John Edward Franks

John Edward Franks of Sun City, Arizona, 89, passed away on August 20, 2015. He was born on April 8, 1926 to Elmer and Margaret Franks in Uniontown, PA. John graduated from German Township High School in Fayette County, PA. He was in the U.S. Navy and participated in the European Theatre of Operation during WWII and in the Atomic Bomb test at Eniwetok and Johnson Island.

He retired as Fire Chief of Cherry Hill Fire District, Colorado. John was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, Elks BPOE Lodge 2559, Sun City, Missouri Valley Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Past President Co. State Fire Chiefs, Firefighting Instructor School, and Atomic Biological & Chemical. He completed ICS Correspondence Courses & Industrial Safety and earned an AA degree.

John will be missed by his loving wife of 40 years, Azalea Franks; children, Mike (Karen) Freeman, Jay (Nancy) Franks, and Kelly Peach; seven grandchildren, Tommy Gratto, Shayna Vann, Nick Capson, Ryan Vann, Nick (Jessica) Thiel, Aimee (Levi) Dunn, and Dane Freeman; and a great grandson, Garrett Thiel. John was preceded in death by his first wife and a daughter Jill Franks. John also had three siblings, Robert Franks, Dorothy Woods and Twila Pfoutz.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center, Sun City, AZ.