Jimmy "Jim" Lee Franks

Jimmy Lee "Jim" Franks was born on July 20, 1950, in Duncan, Oklahoma to Raymon and Mary Frances (Hawkins) Franks. Jim passed away while family watched over him on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the age of 76.

The family will receive visitors at Whitt Funeral Home on Sunday, September 13, from 2:00-4:00 P.M. Funeral services are planned for 10:00 A.M., Monday, September 14, in the Whitt Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Wheeler officiating. Interment will follow in the Duncan Municipal Cemetery with James Franks, Andrew Franks, Connor Franks, Jay Satterwhite, Billy Samuels, Zack Samuels, Jacob Samuels and Guy Curtis serving as pallbearers.

Jim played football and baseball at Duncan High School, graduating in 1968. His freshman year of college was as a member of the Wichita State University football team, transferring the next year to Southwestern Oklahoma State University. At Southwestern, he played football, married the love of his life, Melissa Lee Baker, and, at various points worked as a carpenter, in a lumber yard and in the oil fields. Jim did this all while going to school and raising his children with Melissa. He earned his degree from Southwestern in business, beginning a career in oil and gas that would last until his well-earned retirement.

While Jim and Melissa raised their growing family, Jim worked the oil fields of Texas, Oklahoma, and the Middle East, as well as off-shore in the Gulf of Mexico. Jim later began his in-office oil and gas career in Duncan, where a family introduction helped him get on as a clerk with Skelly Oil Company. Through the years, Jim survived all of the mergers from Skelly onward, excelling at multiple executive positions, eventually retiring with Chevron. Upon retirement, Melissa and Jim moved to Norman, Oklahoma, to be close to family.

In earlier years, Jim enjoyed fishing. He was a bodybuilder in the late 1980's, competing alongside Melissa and two of his sons in the 1989 Mr. Wyoming amateur bodybuilding competition. Jim also loved planting and caring for flowers and trees, along with watching the wildlife that came to enjoy the garden.

Above all, Jim treasured his family. No accomplishment or pastime meant more to him than the people he loved. His grandchildren held an especially important place in his heart, and the time he spent with them brought him great happiness.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Jerry and Joanne Baker; son, Jerry David Franks; brother, Wray Franks; sister-in-law Barbara Satterwhite; brother-in-law, David Gray, and niece Hayley Cochran McCartey.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Melissa; children: James Franks and wife Jennifer of Norman, OK, Andrew Franks of Piedmont, OK; grandchildren: Lauren Franks, Connor Franks, Samuel Franks, Thomas Franks, John Isaac Franks, Joseph Franks, Dale Franks and Edward Franks; sisters: Cecilia Samuels, Rowena Gray; sisters-in law: Angela Steely, Debbie Cochran, Mary Satterwhite; brothers-in-law: Steve Cochran and John Satterwhite, along with numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins, all of whom he loved.

Online condolences can be made at www.whittfh.com.







 

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