Monty Lee Franks Jr.

Monty Lee Franks Jr., born February 10th, 1949. Monty passed away peacefully on the morning of August 2nd 2025. Monty was born and raised in Miami, Oklahoma, where he graduated from Miami High School in 1967. Monty was a caring husband, beloved father, proud grandfather, and great grandfather. His life’s journey was marked by a deep dedication to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, and set the standard of what it means to be a true Norseman. His passions for sports and journalism blossomed at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO), which he attended from 1967 to 1969. He served as equipment manager for several teams, including the 1967 and 1969 NJCAA National Champion Golden Norsemen Football teams. He later earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in junior college education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, where he honed his skills as a sportswriter and editor. In 1974, after a brief teaching stint at Claremore Junior College, Monty returned to his beloved NEO. He became the public information director, a journalism instructor, and a longtime advisor for the Norse Wind student newspaper. He was known for his love of the college and his ability to tell the stories of its students and athletes through his writing and mentorship. Monty's excellence was recognized nationally. He was named Outstanding Junior College Sports Information Director in both 1978 and 1979 by the College Sports Information Directors Association. His football media guides were awarded "best all-around" by the NJCAA for four consecutive years, from 1977 to 1980. His lifetime contributions were honored in 2004 with his induction into the NJCAA Football Hall of Fame. Even after retiring from NEO in 2002, Monty remained a passionate voice for the college, continuing to write for the Miami News-Record. His storytelling not only preserved NEO’s legacy but also strengthened the community’s connection to its history. Monty was inducted to the NEO Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2023, he was honored as NEO’s Outstanding Retired Faculty recipient, a fitting tribute to a life dedicated to service, scholarship, and his unwavering commitment to the college he loved so deeply. For Monty, his proudest roles were not defined by accolades but by the love of his family. He was a caring husband to Pamela Bushyhead as she journeyed with Alzheimer's and Dementia and would pass away from colon cancer on March 7th 2016. Monty was preceded in passing by his parents, Monty Franks and Gail Beck and his step dad George Beck, Brother Thomas Forbes and sister Twyla Sizemore. A loving father to their five children; son Chris and his wife Penny of Stillwater, Ok, daughter Jennifer and husband Matt of Jacksonville, Fla,; son Matthew and wife Ashley of Castle Rock, Co.; daughter Amanda and husband Justin of Roland, Ok and daughter Kimberly and husband Brett of Adair, Ok. His love for his many grand and great grand kids was unmeasurable. Along with his sisters Judy Pittman of Miami and Kay Atkinson and her husband Jerry of Chickasha. Monty Lee Franks Jr.'s legacy will live on in the generations he taught, mentored, wrote about, and loved. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. In honor of his service, we ask that you wear St. Louis Cardinals gear or NEO gear. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Friday, August 8, 2025 at Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami. Services will be 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at First United Methodist Church in Miami with his Son Reverend Matt Franks officiating. Interment will follow at a later date at Duffield Cemetery in Jay, Oklahoma. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mr. Franks’ Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Monty Lee Franks Jr.

February 10, 1949 - August 2, 2025