Pastor Israel Franco, 64, of Hugoton, Kans., died Tuesday, May 9, at Stevens County Hospital in Hugoton.
He was born June 2, 1958, in Lubbock, Texas, the son of Armando and Aurora (Sanchez) Franco.
Israe l grew up in Garden City, Kans., and moved to Ulysses in 1974.
He graduated from Ulysses High School in 1976. He continued his education at Latin American Bible Institute in California.
Israel married Delaine O’Neal November 6, 1993, in Ulysses.
Israel had the opportunity to serve numerous churches in his career. Some of them included starting and serving as the Pastor at Elkhart Assembly of God in 1985, and was an Associate Pastor, Youth Minister and Principal at Patterson Avenue Church of God in Ulysses, a Pastor for 11 years at the First Church of God in El Paso, Texas, 10 years at Dixon Chapel in Limestone, Tenn., and the last eight years served as Pastor at the First Church of God in Hugoton.
Israel was also the librarian at Hugoton Middle School. He loved to worship and sing, spend time with family, home cooking, and loved kids and youth ministry.
Israel is survived by his wife, Delaine of Hugoton; siblings: Mandy Franco, Garden City, Pastor Rafael Franco and wife, Ludi, Lakin, Kans., Mike Franco, Homer Franco and wife, Mavi, and Eddie Franco and wife, Jean, all of Ulysses, and Olivia Salsedo, Garden City; sister-in-law, Enedelia Franco, Monett, Mo.; brother-in-law, Jeff Fowler, Ulysses; brother-in-law, Keith O’Neal and wife, Judy, Satanta; special friend, Daniel Manning of North Carolina; special friends and church family in El Paso, Texas, Tennessee and Hugoton; godchildren: Christian Franco, Nicholas Franco, and Taylia Cavasos; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Israel is preceded in death by his parents, Armando and Aurora Franco; brother, Santos Franco; sister, Elida Fowler; and brother-in-law, Felix Salsedo.
Visitation took place from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, May 11, at the First Church of God in Hugoton.
Funeral service was at 2 p.m., Friday, May 12, at the Oasis Church in Ulysses with Pastor Rafael Franco officiating. The service was live streamed on Garnand Funeral Home Facebook page.
Interment followed at the Ulysses Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to the First Church of God in Hugoton in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 920 E. 11th St., Hugoton, KS 67951.
Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
