Rudy (Ruts) Franks, born August 16, 1932 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, passed away with his wife by his side on April 12, 2005 at the Garden Oasis Long Term Care Ward of Ashcroft General Hospital.
He is survived by his wife Shirley of 42 years; son Brad (Charlene); daughter Charlene (Dan), two much loved grandsons Zach and Jesse, brothers Art (Margaret), Ervin (Joan) and sister-in-law Agnes. His brothers Edward and Fred and parents Martha and August predeceased him.
Rudy grew up on the family farm on Chilliwack Central Road and started driving logging trucks in 1956, first for Orion Bowman and sons then for Watkins Sawmills, Frank Lewis, Burritt and Sons Trucking and later for Cattermole Timber until retirement in October 1994.
He was a great outdoorsman who spent many hours fishing the Vedder River, collecting many trophies at the annual Steelhead Derby. He also was an avid bird and game hunter, traveling throughout B.C., Alberta and Washington State. He coached minor baseball for 10 years in Atchelitz and Sardis and produced many fine ball players and winning teams including a team he took to the BC Summer Games in 1979. He then went on to coach women’s fastball in Chilliwack for 10 years, all the time loving the attention of the young ladies.
Selling the beloved “Stump Ranch” on Marble Hill in 1992, he started his next project in the Kane Valley near Merritt, clearing the land and having a new home built for his and Shirley’s retirement where they shared many weekends entertaining family and friends.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Garden Oasis at the Ashcroft General Hospital for their care and attention during Rudy’s stay.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 1:00 pm at the Chapel of Henderson’s Funeral Home, 45901 Victoria Avenue, Chilliwack, B.C. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the: Garden Oasis Long Term Care Home, c/o “Family/Friend”, P.O. Box 488, Ashcroft, B.C., V0K 1A0.