Alton E. Franks Jr.

Al Franks, who passed away on July 1, 2025, lived a remarkable life, and enjoyed entertaining others with tales of his travels and life experiences. Born in Bunkie, Louisiana in 1942, he spent his childhood moving around Louisiana, Mississippi and east Texas due to his father’s job working on oil rigs. Through formative summers, riding his horse Moonlight, he herded cattle on the ranch where his grandfather was a foreman. He graduated from Bunkie High School, where he formed lifelong friendships that he maintained by coordinating regular reunions and informal gatherings. After a few semesters of college, Al decided he needed to grow up and joined the United States Army as an Infantryman. Once he completed Basic Training, he was selected for the President’s Honor Guard and assigned to Fort Myer, Virginia where he served as a Tomb Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As part of this unit, he walked the Tomb and participated in the funerals of President John F. Kennedy and General Douglas MacArthur. In 1964, Al volunteered to go to Vietnam where he worked as a paratrooper with the Military Assistance Command, earning a Silver Star, Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and an Air Medal. As with many who served in Vietnam, these wartime experiences weighed on him throughout his life. After his military service, Al returned to civilian life and worked hard to complete his bachelor’s degree at USL, graduating in the fall of 1968. There he met Barbara Dozier. He credited Barbara with saving his life and they married in June of 1968. During their 57 years of marriage, they were best friends and teammates in life, bringing their children, Sherri and Kevin, along on their many adventures. Al’s thirty-three year career with Amoco included work in Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia, as well as international assignments in the Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The company called on his unique skills for the development of challenging new projects. He often remarked with wonder that a kid from Bunkie, Louisiana found himself working with scientists and engineers on projects all over the world. This storytelling man shared these amazing experiences generously, captivating his listeners. After decades of long hours and frequent work travel, on a cruise which gave him a break from phones and email, he and Barbara decided that it was time for him to retire. They returned to the Lafayette area, where Al found a new purpose through his involvement in the United Methodist Church. He drew on his managerial background to offer workshops to help laity and staff improve the organization of church communities all over the state. Putting his speaking gifts to work as a certified lay minister, he filled in for pastors in cities and small towns across the area, whether needed for one service or for a few months. Given all this, the joy of his life was watching his children grow, find their careers and their partners in life, and have children of their own. Sherri married Martin Johnson, and their son Louie made Al a delighted Pawpaw. Kevin and his wife Valeria brought two more grandsons, Connor and Logan, into the family. In death, he joins his father, Alton Sr., his mother Vera, his brother Shelton and his son-in-law Martin. He leaves behind beloved family and so many friends. We will gather to celebrate Al’s life at 11 am on Saturday, July 12 at Asbury United Methodist Church (101 Live Oak Blvd, Lafayette, LA), with visitation from 9-11am. For those who wish to honor his memory with a donation, the family suggests the Asbury UMC Youth Building Fund or Hospice of Acadiana. Personal condolences may be sent to the Franks family at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com Al Franks and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA. Copyright Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. July 2025.

Alton E. Franks Jr.

August 22, 1942 - July 1, 2025