Leroy Franke

Leroy K. (“Roy”) Franke, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, 89, of Grand Junction passed away on May 23, 2017. Memorial services will be held Saturday June 3rd, 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church and School of Messiah with Pastor Redeker officiating. Interment will be arranged at a later date in Glenwood Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in support of the Radio Outreach Ministry at the Lutheran Church and School of Messiah. Arrangements are being handled by the Grand Valley Funeral Homes in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Roy Franke was born October 12, 1927 in Meade, Kansas, the son of August and Augusta Franke. His childhood and schooling was in the Meade area and he graduated from Meade High School on May 15, 1947. Roy served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1946, primarily in the Philippines. He also served in the United States Naval Air Force Reserves as a flight engineer from 1951 to 1955. On June 1, 1951, Roy married Arla Lucille Smith at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Stratton, Colorado. Roy farmed in Burlington, Colorado and Vanderhoof, Canada, owned and operated the Franke Implement and Feed Store in partnership with his brother Glen Franke in Glenwood Springs, worked for the Rio Grande Motorway and Rocky Mountain Natural Gas Company in Glenwood Springs and Mid Continent Coal Mine in Redstone. Roy and Arla raised a family in Burlington and Glenwood Springs and celebrated 66 years of marriage. In 2001, Roy and Arla retired to the Grand Junction area.
Survivors include his wife Arla, a daughter and a son and their spouses: Divian and Gary Pierson, of Benson Arizona; Russel and Melinda Franke, of Silt, Colorado; two grandchildren: Brian Pierson and his wife Brenda, of Vail Arizona; Justin Pierson and his wife Jamie, of Orange, California; and one great grandchild: Brooke Pierson of Orange, California. Other survivors include numerous nephews, nieces and cousins and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents: August and Augusta Franke; his brothers: William Franke, Edward Franke and Glen Franke; his son Jerry Dean Franke and his grandson Rustin Franke. Roy enjoyed gardening, camping and fishing, had a pilot’s license and enjoyed working on mechanical and engineering devices.

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