TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
and Carl L. Franks, Sr. He attended Ardmore High School, where he lettered in football, wrestling, and track and graduated with honors. He attended Oklahoma State University, where he earned B.A. and M.A. in athletic education degree in 1988. Franks enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard on December 11, 1981, as a Power Generator and Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic with the 1345th Transportation Company. On December 21, 1985, the Army National Guard commissioned him as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Transportation Corps through Oklahoma State University's Reserve Officer Training Corps. In 1991, then Captain Franks was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to support Desert Storm/Shield as the commander of the Oklahoma Army National Guard's 1345th Transportation Company. Franks' command of the 1345th was one of many successes in a brilliant military career that spanned more than 34 years. Among his most notable assignments were - Commander of the 1345th Transportation Company; State Deputy Director of Maintenance; Equal Opportunity Advisor for the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; State Defense Movement Coordinator and Commander of the 90th Troop Command. In 2011 he was promoted from Lt. Colonel State Defense Movement Coordinator to Colonel at Joint Force Headquarters in Oklahoma City. After 34 years of service, he retired from the Army National Guard in December of 2015. Franks was a graduate of numerous military schools, including the Transportation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne (Jump) School, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, and Equal Opportunity Advanced Equal Employment Opportunity Commander's courses. Franks transitioned from a civilian career as the Director of Athletics for Moore (OK Public Schools in 1996 and held that position for 20 years. In 2015 he became the Director of Youth Programs
for the Oklahoma Military Department. He oversaw all youth-based programs administered by the Oklahoma Military Department to include the Thunderbird Youth Challenge in Pryor, OK, and the Starbase programs in various cities in Oklahoma. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Gold Hourglass and M Device, and the Parachutist Badge. Franks was preceded in death by his younger brother Jody. Brother Carl L. Franks, Jr. is survived by his wife of 28 years, Clinette; three daughters, Shayla, Jordan and Bethany; grandchildren Jimi and Shaun; sisters Lorraine Samuels and Rita Allen; and brothers Ricky and Vince.
1990 to 2003. The USAF deployed Gaskin overseas several times to serve his country. He was a Security Policeman and received the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon/Rifle, Air Force Training Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and Air Force Longevity Service Award with one device. In his earlier sales days, he was known as "the cellphone man" when he worked for different cellular phone companies. At his job at Jack Ingram Nissan, he was known as "Mr. Nissan" for his excellent sales and customer service skills. His charm and charisma were apparent any time he spoke to anyone. Brother Daran C. Gaskin Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, his grandmother, Ruby Marshall, uncles, Willie Gaston Jr., Frank Gaston, Asberry Gaston, John Gaston, and Jessie Gaston, and aunts, Jannie Mae Grant, Fannie Mae Gaston, Lillie Felder, and Annie Gregory. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Christy (née Ramsey) Gaskin, his children: Daran C. Gaskin Jr., Carington R. Gaskin, and Chandler B. Gaskin, brothers: Jerry Gaskin Jr., Quinton Gaskin, Ricardé (Alexis) Gaskin, and Lonnie (La Tonia) Russell, mother-in- law, Brenda Ramsey Robinson and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family, fraternity brothers, and friends.
Daran C. Gaskin, Sr. 1971–2020 Sales, U.S. Air Force Reserve
Daran C. "Spud" Gaskin, Sr. (Gamma Phi 1992) entered the Chapter Invisible on April 16, 2020, at 49. Daran Christopher Gaskin was on April 1, 1971, in
Montgomery, AL to the late Gloria and Jerry Gaskin Sr. He attended school in Montgomery and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1989, where he was a member of the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JR.O.T.C.) and the Lee Generals Basketball team. He graduated from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1994 with a B.A. degree in Business Management. He joined the Fraternity as 1992
Andy John Gaspard 1971–2021 Information Technologist
Andy John Gas- pard (Washington (DC) Alumni 2011), 50, entered the Chapter Invis- ible on May 22, 2021, in Fairfax, VA, following a life defined by love,
Gaskin was a member of the United States Air Force (USAF) Reserve from
220 | SUMMER 2021 ♦ THE JOURNAL
VIRTUAL 85 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING
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