Arnold Franks

April 1st, 1930 - April 4th, 2021

OBITUARY

Arnold Creech Franks passed away on Easter day, April 4th, 2021, at his home in Sharon, CT. due to complications from cancer. Arnold was 91 years old and was originally from Harlan, KY. He is survived by his four children; Gregory Franks of Phoenix, MD., Bethany Franks of Guilford, CT., Jennifer Wilson of Stuart, FL. and Anne Franks of Northford, CT., and his four grandchildren. Mr. Franks has two surviving sisters, Monell Jordan of Columbus, Ohio and Patsy Mills of Deatsville, Alabama.

Arnold was born April 1st, 1930, in the depths of the great depression and grew up in coal country in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky where his father was a coal miner. One year after his birth, his father lost his leg in a mine collapse and could no longer work. The family, with 11 children and no money coming in had to find ways to survive in the rural mountains of Kentucky. Mr. Franks always said, “quitting was not an option and we had far too much pride to take something from someone for nothing in return; to do so would be unconscionable; we just figured things out along the way.”

In 1950, Mr. Franks enlisted in the Marine Corps and was a tank commander in the Korean War. During his time there he was involved in several major battles where they were outnumbered by massive Chinese forces. In one battle alone, his tank endured four direct hits by enemy mortars and artillery and yet, kept fighting. Mr. Franks received numerous commendations and awards during his service. As is common in rural America, his four brothers also served in the Marine Corps and Army during WWll, Korea and Vietnam.

Upon returning he married his first love, Louella Jean Hackney of Paintsville, KY; she was one of 16 children. Louella Jean passed away at age 25 upon the birth of their first child. He married again several years after the passing of his first wife. He then married Barbara Chopowick and they remained happily married until she passed away after 34 years of marriage in 2010. They were active members of the Church of Christ in New Milford, CT.

Arnold worked the majority of his life as a carpenter in Connecticut, where he raised his family. After retiring, he became the caretaker and manager of Harrybrooke Park in New Milford for many years before settling in Sharon, CT. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and tending to his large garden where he grew award winning vegetables, which he shared with old and new friends; in addition to tending to the home his son had build for him.

Arnold Franks lived a life of gratitude and always felt enormously fortunate to have been born and lived in the United States, where one has numerous opportunities and the ability to have the freedoms that we have; he never took that for granted. Mr. Franks always stood up and spoke up, for what he felt was right and always helped someone when they were in need, he said to not do so would be wrong. In helping people Arnold significantly altered the trajectory of many peoples’ lives in a positive and meaningful way. We were all fortunate to have him amongst us, he made us all better; a man from the greatest generation.

We will all miss him dearly. The family will share details of a memorial service when it becomes safe to gather and celebrate his life