Mr. Kenneth Lamar Franks, age 73, of Dalton, Georgia, departed this life Saturday, September 19, 2026, in Waterloo, Alabama, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Lamar was born February 24, 1953, in Dalton, Georgia, a son of the late Claude Edward and Avaleen Chitwood Franks. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Gerald Franks.

A 1971 graduate of Calhoun High School, Lamar was the proud owner and operator of Franks Trucking Company for many years. He was a hardworking man who took great pride in what he did, but those who knew Lamar best will remember him for much more than his work. He loved life and believed in making the most of every day. He loved his family deeply, cherished his friends, and was always willing to lend a helping hand to someone in need. Lamar was the kind of man who never met a stranger and, once you became his friend, you had a true friend for life.

Lamar had a great passion for Harley-Davidson motorcycles and was a devoted NASCAR fan. Riding his motorcycle was more than simply a pastime for him; it was something that brought him freedom, happiness, and a sense of adventure. It was a part of who he was. In a fitting testament to the way he lived his life, Lamar died doing something he truly loved. At the time of his passing, he was participating in the 33rd Annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride, a ride held to commemorate the tragic history of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, honor the resilience of Native nations, and help educate future generations.

Lamar's life was also a testament to strength and determination. Several years ago, he faced serious health issues that could easily have caused him to give up the active life he loved. But Lamar was not a man who gave up. Through tremendous willpower, courage, and determination, he overcame those obstacles and refused to allow his health challenges to define him or keep him from enjoying life. He became active again and continued doing the things he loved, surrounded by the people who meant the most to him.

Above all, Lamar loved his family. He treasured his son and grandchildren and was a constant source of love, support, and friendship to those around him. He also had a special place in his heart for his companion and partner, Carla, and her children. Lamar's passing leaves a tremendous void in the lives of all who knew and loved him, but his memory will live on through the family he loved, the friends he made, and the many lives he touched along the way.

He is survived by his only son, Jamie and Nichole Franks; grandchildren, Sawyer Franks and Jude Franks, all of Dalton, Georgia; companion and partner, Carla Hix, of Chatsworth, Georgia; her children, Stephen Walker, of Burlingame, California, and Lauren and Mike Roper, of Cornelius, North Carolina; sisters, Judy and Rick Davenport, of Dalton, Georgia, and Rachael Gallman and Paul Parker, of Resaca, Georgia; brother, Reed and Janet Franks, of Resaca, Georgia; along with several nieces, nephews, and many friends who will forever remember Lamar as a man who loved life, loved his family, and was a true friend.

Services to celebrate the life of Mr. Kenneth Lamar Franks will be held Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Ponders Melrose Chapel with his nephew, Reverend David Peeler, and Reverend Jeremy Brewer officiating. He will be laid to rest at Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery in Resaca, Georgia.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jerry Hudson, Kenneth Hudson, Ronnie Jackson, Russell Gallman, Shane Misskelley, and Randall Herron. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Masters and Sawyer Franks.

The family requested that you could send flowers to the funeral home or make a donation to the Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center in his honor.

The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday and after 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning until the service hour.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, Georgia 30721, (706) 226-4002. “Your Selected Independent Funeral Home”