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Byron Douglas Frans, Sr.
August 3, 1955 - October 11, 2019

Mr. Byron Douglas Frans Sr, 84, passed away at Three Rivers Nursing Home in Marked Tree, Friday October 11, 2019. Doug was born in Tyronza AR on August 3, 1935 to the late Whit Sr. & Ruth Frans. He attended school in Tyronza until the 11th grade. The depression made farming futile in the delta and his father was in poor health after suffering a heart attack at an early age. The Frans family moved to Michigan in early 1952 where Doug & his father were able to find employment at the Ammo Plant during the Korean war. Doug’s mother ran a boarding home on Lake Michigan where they hosted many cousins, creating family bonds and wild stories of youth that would be passed down for generations. When the war ended in 1953, Doug discovered his love for making furniture in an Upholstery shop. He was often teased while tacking that he was “spitting nails”. He held a mouth full of tacks and spit them out while tacking w/ his hammer at a lightening fast pace. The cold winters of Michigan became too much for Doug’s parents so, the family moved April of 1955 to Yuma Arizona. Doug and his father found work in the citrus farming industry. Doug married Lola Newcomb in June 1, 1957. The young couple immediately started a family and had four sons and one daughter. Doug had developed a passion for hunting, target shooting and practicing his quick draw in his youth. One afternoon while practicing his quick draw at his parents’ home, Doug drew his 22 single action pistol to spin it, cock it, aim and fire. Doug cocked the weapon after drawing it, the spin action fired the weapon striking him in the abdomen. He carried that bullet for over 30 years until it was removed during a spinal surgery. In 1964 Doug opened a Texaco gas station on the corner of Arizona Avenue & 24th Street in Yuma. After several successful years, his passion for farming lead him to work for the irrigation district in Hyder, Arizona. In the early 70s Doug moved the family back to his and Lola’s hometown area to reside in Marked Tree Arkansas. Doug and Lola worked side by side on the family farm until their retirement. After retiring from farming, Doug and Lola enjoyed RV traveling with their poodles. They visited nearly all 50 states during retirement and did not see an Arkansas frost in over 10 years. Lola beautifully landscaped their RV lot in the Foothills of Arizona where they spent many winters among extended family and a community of new friends. When Doug’s health began to decline, they sold their property in Yuma and moved back to Arkansas full time. They split their remaining years between their home in Marked Tree and their hobby farm in Cord, Arkansas where they raised miniature horses, a great Pyrenees and one donkey. Doug was a member of Masonic Lodge and attended the First Baptist Church of Marked Tree. Doug enjoyed making wooden toys for his grandkids, building cabinets and tables from cedar. The “boys”, Chip, Rusty, and Bear (poodles) were his constant companions. Doug loved his wife and family with his whole heart and set a wonderful example of a Christian man. He was preceded in death by his bride of 61 years, his parents, and two siblings. Survivors include four sons, Doug Frans Jr (Dawn) of Tyronza, Gary Frans of Los Angeles, California, Joe Frans (Mary) of Cord, Franky Frans (Vicki) of Marked Tree and one daughter Cathy Frans of Jonesboro and one brother, Whit Frans Jr. Doug had nine grandchildren; Kagni Fisher, Jordan Duncan, Alex Frans, Zach Frans, Tyler Frans DVM, James Frans, Kasey Dunavant, Anthony Brown, Aaron Clark and 11 great grandchildren and one more on the way. A Celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Marked Tree. Burial will follow at the Tyronza Cemetery. Pallbearers: Jordan Duncan, Alex Frans, Zach Frans, Tyler Frans DVM, James Frans, Anthony Brown, and Aaron Clark.

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Visitation

October 16, 2019
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

First Baptist Church

Marked Tree, AR

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Funeral Service

October 16, 2019
02:00 PM

First Baptist Church

Marked Tree, AR

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Graveside Service


Tyronza Cemetery

Tyronza, AR

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