Remembering David Franks, 1951-2013

Family and friends are remembering David Franks, gone too soon at just 61. Here’s the tribute sent to us to share with you:

David A. Franks died unexpectedly March 29 of natural causes, one month short of his 62nd birthday. Though he lived in north Burien, he had lifelong ties to West Seattle. He grew up in the community, first in a house near the steel mill, then in the home his parents owned for more than 40 years on 42nd SW just south of Jefferson Square. Dave was in West Seattle every week, helping support the needs of his parents, and maintaining contact with friends and the families of two nieces who live here.

He was born April 30, 1951, in Seattle, graduated from West Seattle High School, and attended the University of Puget Sound. He had a career with the US Postal Service, where he rose from part-time mail handler to supervisor of the mail processing center at SeaTac Airport.

Dave was close to his large family, and had an extensive circle of friends, many dating to college days. A lifelong bachelor, Dave was a much-loved uncle to two generations of nieces and nephews, with whom he always was generous with time and gifts.

He learned to cook for large groups during the time his parents managed the Seabeck Conference Center, on Hood Canal, and enjoyed cooking for family and friends – as long as he controlled the kitchen.

Dave was a fan of all sports, amateur and professional, and had an encyclopedic knowledge of baseball statistics. He was a Seahawks season ticket holder for more 25 years, a Husky football season ticket holder, and also attended many Mariners games. He had Three Rules for attending local games: Never pay for parking, always cheer for the home team, and never leave before the end of the game.

His memory for television and movie details usually made him a winner of trivia challenges. Dave had an early interest in collecting modern jazz and rock recordings, and later developed a passion for wine collecting and sampling. He hosted an annual event for 30-40 friends, called Red Meat/Red Wine, where he shared his wines in a blind-tasting contest, and then cooked a feast.

Survivors include his father, Kermit Franks, of The Kenney residential community in West Seattle; his siblings, Marsha Munson, Dean Franks and Candace Murray; seven nieces and nephew; nine great-nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held June 2 at 3 p.m. in the Seahurst Banquet Hall at the Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Avenue SW. Memorials may be made to Seabeck Conference Center, 15395 Seabeck Highway NW, Seabeck, WA 98380.

5 Replies to "Remembering David Franks, 1951-2013"

  • mookie April 9, 2013 (11:59 pm)

    Sounds like a wonderful, loving man who deeply appreciated his family and friends, and enjoyed the good things in life. I’ll cheer at a Mariners game for him as my salute.

  • David April 10, 2013 (6:27 am)

    David was a kind, gentle giant in all the years that we attended school together – first at Jefferson then Madison then WSHS. He must have acquired his cooking skills at an early age because I remember when we were 11 or 12 going to his house after school and frying up hamburgers without any supervision required. Haven’t seen David since high school but often thought about him and our good times. My condolences to the Franks family and to his friends. RIP.

  • Rod April 10, 2013 (9:53 am)

    An absolute class act. I still have difficulty believing that he is gone.

  • wseakell April 10, 2013 (3:25 pm)

    I met David while working at The Kenney and always loved to see him for his gentle kindness and overwhelming love and support of his parents. My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. I will raise my next glass of red wine to you, David!

  • Katharine E. McCormack April 11, 2013 (8:34 pm)

    To the Franks family, and David’s friends,

    I am so sorry for your loss. I was startled to see David’s photo, and recognized him immediately from “wa-a-ay back”. (He hasn’t changed!)

    I remember David as a gentle, kind, quiet person.

    May God’s love bring you comfort…

    Katharine McCormack

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