Kenneth Newton Franks

June 10, 1939 – March 30, 2025

Kenneth Newton Franks, 85, of Stewartsville, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025, leaving behind a life defined by faith, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to his family and the land he called home.

Born on June 10, 1939, in Stewartsville, to Harold Lee and Thelma Louise McNay Franks, Kenny was raised with the values of integrity, perseverance, and responsibility—qualities he carried throughout his life. Growing up in Grant County, he was never one to seek recognition, but his actions spoke louder than words. As a proud member of the 1957 Grant County Braves basketball team, he helped lead his team to the state tournament, a moment of pride that reflected his quiet determination and team spirit.

Kenny’s life was firmly rooted in his faith. A longtime member of Grassy Run Baptist Church, he served as deacon, song leader, a member of the choir, and Sunday school teacher, guiding others by example and living out his beliefs with humility and consistency. His faith was not performative; it was the foundation on which he built his life, his work, and his relationships.

After earning his Master’s degree in Agronomy from the University of Kentucky, Kenny dedicated his career to the Kentucky Department of Transportation, as one of the first in the Roadside Vegetation Management Department. His work shaped Kentucky’s landscape and earned him a distinguished service award from the National Roadside Vegetation Management Association—a reflection of his dedication and vision for bettering the land he knew so well.

But Kenny's proudest work was never measured in awards or recognition. It was found in the day-to-day effort of providing for his family and stewarding the land he farmed. A former Kentucky State FFA Star Farmer, Kenny believed in the value of honest labor and the responsibility of leaving things better than he found them. Farming wasn’t just his livelihood—it was the way he provided, taught, and instilled discipline and gratitude in those around him.

In 2024, Kenny was honored by the Grant County Farm Bureau as the recipient of the Legacy Farm Award, a recognition of his lifelong dedication to farming and his role in sustaining the Franks Family Farm, which proudly stands as a 7th-generation family operation. As a member of Kentucky Farm Bureau, he was deeply committed to the agricultural community, advocating for the importance of preserving and passing down the legacy of farming to future generations.

He is now reunited with his wife and partner of 61 years, Mary Jane Franks, who preceded him in death. Together, they built a life centered around family, faith, and quiet strength.

Kenny is survived by his two sons, Kenneth Craig (Dana) Franks and Brian (Laura) Franks; his grandchildren, Lindie Huffman (Robert Spillman), Julianne Franks, Sarah Franks (Isaac) Walters, and Joseph Franks; and his great-grandchildren, Warren, Olan, & Linkin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Lee and Thelma Louise McNay Franks; his sister, Brenda Sue Franks Cummings; and brother-in-law, Tom Cummings.

Kenny’s legacy will endure in the fields he tended, the family he raised, and the countless lives he touched through steady hands and steadfast faith. He lived a life of quiet leadership—always doing what needed to be done, never asking for anything in return. He taught those around him the value of responsibility, humility, and dedication, and that is the memory that will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.