A funeral service for Dr. Robert Kenneth Franks, 81, of Lexington, SC was held Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel with private interment in Woodridge Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, KY (www.ucumberlands.edu/give) or to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060.
“Ken” Franks was born December 9, 1934 in Lothair, KY and passed away Monday, September 12, 2016.
He was a son of the late Clyde H. Franks and Grace Farmer Franks.
Dr. Franks graduated from Leslie County High School (KY) in 1952 and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, TN in 1956. He later went on to receive his Doctor of Philosophy in Physics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1964.
Over his career Dr. Franks was a Physicist with NASA at Langley Research Center in VA. He was a Professor of Physics at both Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX and Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He also served as a Business Administrator for Cumberland College (now University of the Cumberlands) in Williamsburg. He retired as a Physicist with the Department of Energy at the Savannah River Site near Aiken, SC.
Dr. Franks was an active member of the American Physical Society. He was also a past Deacon at First Baptist Church in Aiken, SC and spent many years as a Sunday School Teacher. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
Dr. Franks is survived by his wife, Juanita Horton Franks of Lexington; daughter, Joanna Franks Miller and son-in-law, Lee, of Lexington; grandchildren, Trent, Christi and Jason Miller; brother,
Ronald Franks of Big Stone Gap, VA; sister, Iris Franks Henderson of Byesville, OH and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by a son, Robert K. Franks, Jr.
