Tommy Mark Franks

Tommy "Tom" Mark Franks, age 72, of Gravois Mills, passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 2012, at University Hospital and Clinics in Columbia. He was born on August 7, 1940, in Pekin, Ill., a son of the late Irving and Beverly (Jones) Franks, and was the oldest of three brothers, Robert of Naperville, Ill. and Michael of Pekin, Ill. Tom was a graduate of Pekin Community High School, and held a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill. He married Margaret Horton of Nauvoo, Ill., in October, 1965 while both were employees of the Office of the Secretary of State in Springfield, Ill. They are survived by two sons, Geoffrey Mark (born 1966) of Jefferson City, and Thomas Michael (born 1968) and daughter-in-law, Shannon, of Fort Myers, Fla. Shortly after the birth of his two sons, he moved the family to the Urbana-Champaign, Ill. area and went to work for IBM as a sales representative. After 17 years at IBM he worked for several technological companies and mortgage brokerages in sales until his retirement to the Lake of the Ozarks in 2007. The great accomplishment in his life was that he was a family man with two sons that he was very proud of and a wife that he loved dearly. Summer vacations and Fighting Illini sporting events with the family were among his favorite things. During his long career he developed many friendships; regretfully, he was unable to keep up with his pals due to failing health. Nevertheless, any obstacle that he encountered he had the toughness to overcome it, until the last. Tom was an avid reader of thriller and legal novels, as well as historical and political works. He also enjoyed watching political shows and movies. In addition, Tom loved technology and kept up with the latest electronic gadgets that came on the market. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, who passed away in July, 2011. Friends will be received from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, January 5, 2013, at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, 500 North Fourth Street, Pekin, IL 61554. (309) 346-2176. Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, January 6, 2013, at the Nauvoo City Cemetery in Nauvoo, Ill. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you make a donation in memory of Tom to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org/donate or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/donate. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109. (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com