James Arlis Franks

Funeral services for James Arlis Franks, a Coalgate resident, were held Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Brown’s Funeral Chapel in Coalgate with Wendell Ingram officiating. Burial was in McCarthy Cemetery with Brown’s Funeral Service of Coalgate in charge of arrangements.

Arlis was born on May 26, 1948, to Arlie Theodore and Inola Mae (Coffee) Franks, at Miami, Arizona and passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at his home in Coalgate, Oklahoma at the age of 76 years.

Arlis received a Bachelor’s Degree from East Central University. He retired as a Supervisory Supply Manufacturing Specialist at MCAAP. Arlis served in the United States Army from February 2, 1967 until January 31, 1969, including his one-year term of service in the Vietnam War fighting in the Dakto border battles of ’67 and the TET offensive in ’68. In January of 1979, he returned to service until 2002 when he received the rank of Major. During his time in the Army he received numerous decorations and citations, including a Bronze Star.

Arlis began his Active Federal Service in September of 1966 as an Ordinance man for McAlester Naval Ammunition Depot and culminated it on December 31, 2010, as the Chief of Depot Operations Division. He married the love of his life, Linda Lou Dority on November 3, 1971, at Oklahoma City. Arlis was a member of the Coalgate Church of Christ. He enjoyed reading his Bible, hunting, fishing, making walking sticks, and dancing to Christmas music. His favorite times were spent watching his grandkids play sports and spittin’ and wittlin’.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Lou (Dority) Franks of the home in Coalgate, OK; children, Danny Joe Franks and wife Maria of McAlester, OK, Misty Dawn (Franks) Orr of Coalgate, OK and Kristy Kylene (Franks) Nelson and husband Josh of Tupelo, OK; grandsons, Tristan James Franks and wife Toni, Rayden Dean “Boo” Orr, Ethan Sawyer Nelson, Joshua Luke Parham, and Samuel Joseph Parham; granddaughters, Shawntel Cheyenne (Ward) Casey and husband Kendall, McKenzie Paige Lynn, Jillian Ray “Bella” Orr and Olivia Lynn Nelson; 8 greatgrandchildren; sisters, Julia Ann (Franks) Hampton and husband Marvin and Donna Jean (Franks) Guinn and husband Gary; sisters-in-Law, Sherry Franks, Sherri Harkins and Edith Clayton; brother-in-law: Curtis Vick; along with numerous nieces, nephews and many dearly loved friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arlie Theodore and Inola Mae (Coffee) Franks; siblings, Johnnie Lee Franks and wife Judy, Bobby Dale Franks and Darla Jo (Franks) Vick; grandson, Kade Garrett Lynn and great-granddaughter, Katyn Renee Powell.

Casketbearers were Marvin Hampton Jr., Boo-Rayden Orr, Lucas Guinn, Ethan Nelson, Jonathan Orr, Sean Hilfer, Payton Hilfer, and Tristan Franks Honorary casketbearers were Josh Nelson, Billy Harkins, Jimmy McCoy, Gary Coffee, Jason Ellis, and Bryan Franks.