Kenny Arthur Franks

KENNY FRANKS, Ph.D.
July 19, 1945--September 30, 2021
Kenny Franks, of Cleveland, passed away Thursday, September 30, 2021 at the age of 76, following complications from surgery. Born in Okemah, Oklahoma on July 19, 1945, he was the son of Arthur and Christine Franks.
He married Clyda Reeves on July 16, 1996.
Kenny received his Ph.D. in Western American History from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. He served as Adjunct Assistant Professor of History at Oklahoma State University; lecturer and Adjunct Faculty member of the Graduate Faculty at the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond. He also taught concurrent college enrollment history classes at Cleveland High School for several years following his retirement from the Oklahoma Heritage Association in Oklahoma City.
He authored numerous books on the petroleum industry, Oklahoma military and Oklahoma history. He co-authored “Pawnee Pride-A History of Pawnee County”.
Kenny served as historical consultant for three television documentaries and for TNT Motion Pictures. As one of three federally recognized forensic historians, Kenny owned History Research and Consulting Company and did legal consulting for many legal firms in Oklahoma, Texas, California and Washington, D.C.
He was known for his love of books, historical coins, travel and his sense of humor.
Kenny was preceded in death by both parents and an infant sister, Etta Franks.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Clyda; three sons, Douglas (Karen) Franks, Tyler (Hillary) Franks and Bryan Franks; grandchildren, Brynn, Tess, Austin and Gavin Franks; two stepsons, Chris (Audrey) Reeves and Jason (Dawn) Reeves and step-grandsons, Andrew and Alex Reeves.
A private family burial will take place at a later day. Cremations arrangements have been entrusted to Poteet Funeral Home, Pawnee, Okla.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jay C. Byers Library, Cleveland, Okla.