Ray Franklin Franke

Ray Franklin Franke, age 91, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, passed away on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

Born on September 27, 1934, in Hoagland, Indiana, Ray was the son of Herman and Iva Franke. He married the love of his life, Kay Hobbs, on September 12, 1953. He graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Ray served proudly as a Captain in the Air Force, specializing in Communications and Cryptographic Security. His professional life reflected the same commitment to excellence and service that guided his years in uniform. He started his career in engineering and spent several years as a systems engineer. He then became an engineering manager and had management roles for the rest of his career, primarily in the recreational vehicle industry. Ray was an avid entrepreneur and inventor. He started several businesses and spent many hours tinkering at this workbench on his latest inventions. Ray was proud to be listed as a co-inventor on U.S. Patent Number US-3200724-A, “Apparatus for accurate formation and presentation of a visual display.”

Ray was known for having a wide range of interests. He appeared in community theater productions both on the stage and behind the scenes, where he met many of his best friends. He enjoyed cheering for the Purdue and the Saints, playing the banjo ukulele, and a good game of blackjack. He was also an accomplished author with several published books and attended Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Ocean Springs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Iva Franke; his wife, Kay Franke (Hobbs); his son, Steven Franke; and his siblings, Helen Reynolds, Robert Franke, and Ralph Franke.

Ray is survived by his daughters, Cynthia (Gerald) Yager and Tammi (Markus Giolas) Franke; his brother, Roger Franke; and his grandchildren, Joseph Franke, Mackenzie Franke, Devon (Scott) Agar, Jordan (Cameron Yontz) Franke, Brad Yager, Kara (Erik) Bende, Angie (Justin) Lewandowski, and Mars Giolas. He also leaves behind great-grandchildren, Luca Bende, Liam Bende, Lela Bende, Teddy Lewandowski, and Raegan Lewandowski.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Maxwelton Golf Club, located at 5721 E Elkhart County Line Rd, Syracuse, IN 46567, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Interment is on Friday, November 14, 2025 at the Marion National Cemetery in Marion Indiana.

Ray will be remembered for his dedication to his family and many friends, and service to his country.

The family would like to thank Ray’s friend, Sheila Baragar, and his neighbor, Cindy Sullivan, for their kindness and support.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ray Franklin Franke.