Forrest Lynn Franks, 83, of Stillwater, Oklahoma Passed away on July 20, 2025. A graveside service will be held to celebrate his life at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, at Fairlawn Cemetery of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of arrangements.

Forrest was born on January 22,1942, in Altus, Oklahoma to Claude and Doris Franks. On July 20, 2025, he was welcomed into his heavenly home. Forrest grew up in Oklahoma City, graduating from John Marshall High School in 1960. He attended Central State University and served in the United States Air Force, being honorably discharged in November 1969. During that time, he also began working for Western Electric in Oklahoma City.

Forrest relocated through his work to Denver, Colorado, where he spent most of his professional career and a good part of his adult life. He continued to work for over 25 years as an engineer in the telecommunications industry, until retiring with Lucent Technologies. At that time, he decided to come back "home" to Oklahoma and married his high school sweetheart, Karen Allman Ringer, on March 31, 1995. They enjoyed their life together in Edmond and then in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Karen was able to convert Forrest into a true fan of the Oklahoma State University Cowboys. They enjoyed watching OSU football and basketball. Forrest also turned into a fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder, cheering for them even against the Denver Nuggets.

Forrest was preceded in death by his wife Karen, his parents, an infant daughter, and his granddaughter Cassandra Renee Regrut. He is survived by his sister, Claudine Franks Dickey, his daughter Terri Lynn Harms and her husband Brian, his stepson John Ringer and his wife Wendy, and his stepdaughter Rhonda Riley and her husband Ted; his grandchildren, Amanda Goff, Bronson Regrut, Stephanie Regrut, Claire Patton, Wyatt Ringer, and Clancy Ringer; and 6 great grandchildren (Mackenzie, Bradee, Ashlynn, Blaine, Bailee, and Lawrence).

In lieu of flowers, Forrest requested and the family asks that donations be made to Our Daily Bread (https://www.ourdailybreadstillwater.org/) and Mission of Hope (http://www.stillwatermoh.org/) charitable organizations in Stillwater, Oklahoma.