Gerald Ray "Jerry" Franks

Gerald Ray “Jerry” Franks, a US Air Force veteran and longtime resident of Nashville, TN, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 20, 2025 at the age of 83.

Jerry was born on September 28, 1941 in Uniontown, PA to Elton and Doris (Whitecotton) Franks. They later settled in Fairmont, WV, where Jerry graduated from Fairmont Senior High School in 1959. After graduation, Jerry enlisted in the US Air Force and served at Kincheloe AFB in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. As a part of Strategic Air Command, Jerry maintained guidance systems for the AGM-28B Hound Dog nuclear missile platform, achieving the rank of E-4 Airman First Class. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, Jerry began his nearly 40 year career as a communications technician for AT&T in Clarksburg, WV. He married Penelope Tanksley on January 15, 1966, and together they made their home in Fairmont, WV where they raised two sons. Jerry’s career with AT&T eventually led Penny and him to Nashville, TN for the remainder of his service with the company. In retirement, Jerry kept busy as an amateur radio operator with an FCC Amateur Extra license, while also enjoying skeet/trap shooting, flying radio control airplanes with the Edwin Warner Model Aviators, and taking their dog Alice to the dog park to visit her furry friends.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife Penelope (Tanksley) Franks of 59 years; two sons, Alan Franks (Meg) of Durham, NC and Michael Franks of Nashville, TN; three grandchildren, Cammie Franks of Winston-Salem, NC, Emily Franks and Matthew Franks of Durham, NC; and brother Marvin Franks (Debbie) of Cedar Key, FL.

He was predeceased by his mother Doris (Whitecotton) Heater of Fairmont, WV, and his father Elton Franks of Fresno, CA.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 12:00PM on Friday, April 4, 2025, at West Harpeth Funeral Home located at 6962 Charlotte Pike in Nashville. Visitation will begin at 11:00AM until the service time. Following the Memorial Service, Jerry will be laid to rest in the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on McCrory Lane in Nashville.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.