FRANKLIN STORK
Franklin R. Stork, 86, of Jefferson City, passed away Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born in Dante on January 7, 1938, the son of W.A. “Fred” Stork and Irene (Cihak) Stork. He graduated from Wagner High School in 1956.
He served in the United States Navy from 1957-1961 as an Aviation Electronics Technician. He earned his Navy Air Crewmen Wings and served aboard an Early Warning Patrol aircraft flying missions off Midway Island. His patrol squadron, VW-14, was home based at Barbers Point NAS at the entrance of Pearl Harbor. Franklin advanced to Electronics Crew Chief of his multi-engine aircraft and was honorably discharged with the rank of Petty Officer First Class.
Franklin earned his BS Degree in Business from USD/ Springfield in 1963.
He was united in marriage to Suzanne E. Behrend of Parkston in 1962 and they were blessed with 62 years together.
Franklin worked in Rural Electrification throughout his 42-year career. His employment included assignments in South Dakota, Alabama, and Missouri. He retired in 2005 as Executive Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. He was elected to represent Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri on the National Legislative Committee and served as Chairman of the Committee for 21 years. He also served as a member and officer of numerous committees and organizations within the national rural electrification program.
In retirement, Franklin taught English as a second language, drove hospital vans for the VA and served as a director and chairman of the Missouri State Fair Foundation.
Franklin was awarded the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s highest Service Award in 2006. During his career, he was recognized as the CCA Communicator of the Year, and the recipient of the George W. Haggard Journalism Award. He was inducted into the Missouri Cooperative Hall of Fame in 2003.
Franklin and Suzanne are the parents of four children: daughters, Julie Starr, Parker, Colorado; Judi Shipley and husband Curt, Jefferson City, MO; Nancy Hoey and husband John, Kansas City, MO; and son, John Stork and wife Heather of St. Louis, MO; twelve grandchildren: Taylor, Rachael and Ellissa Starr, Morgan, Nolan (Kirsten),and Claire Shipley, Sam (Emma) and Maya Heckart, Jack and Luke Stork, Mallorie (Jesse) Lee-Brockhoff and Jack Hoey; and two great-grandchildren, Cohen Shipley and Ava Lee-Brockhoff.
Funeral services were held at the Cathedral of St. Joseph on Saturday, July 6. Frank did not like funeral visitations but he sure loved to visit. A celebration of life, laughter and storytelling took place after the funeral.