It’s with a heavy heart, and our condolences to his wife Donna and family, that we announce that Mike “Rocket Man” Franks passed away this past weekend. Mike was a dedicated father, hot rodder, and BangShift Forum Freak for many years and has been a staple on Hot Rod Power Tour. Mike, known for driving his Cutlass Convertible with his wife Donna riding shotgun, had an infectious smile and will be missed.
He and Donna were often the leaders of the pack on Power Tour, and always smiling and having fun. They truly embodied the spirit of Power Tour, regardless of the woes often found out on the road. We’ve asked fellow BangShift Forum Freaks to send us photos of Mike and his Cutlass and we have those below for you to enjoy. At only 56 years old, his death comes as a surprise to all, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Franks family.
We often say that BangShifters are one big family, and within that family the tight knit group of BangShift Forum Freaks have become the core group who waive the BangShift flag proudly wherever they go. Mike and Donna were at the heart of this group and the outpouring of well wishes and sympathy on our BangShift Forums has been heart warming. We can’t imagine what this loss is like for the Franks family, but send our thoughts and prayers to them in this time of need.
Besides being a die hard hot rodder, Mike was also a dedicated husband to his wife Donna and father to daughters Keyla and Kara. He had four grandchildren, Kyle, Emily, Colby and Peyton.
Memorial and Funeral Services will be held in Williamston, Michigan on Thursday and Friday this week. More information can be found by clicking this link.
Godspeed Rocket Man…
My condolences.
I am proud to have called Mike my friend. If you were to look up the definition of friend, you would find Mike’s smiling face. Godspeed my friend.
Condolences to the Frank family and Donna. God speed Rocket Man to cruising top down in heaven.
I first met Mike and Donna on my first Hot Rod Pwer Tour in 2008 and they both made me feel welcome and part of the family. Mike was always willing to help anyone no matter what and his smile was infectious. He will be missed by many and my condolences and prayers go out to Donna and the entire Franks family. Godspeed Mike.
Thank you so much Chad! Mike would think this is the coolest thing ever. He loved driving on HRPT and meeting everyone. We have made the most wonderful friends on the road. I have gotten so much support from my Bangshift family the past two days. It means more to me then I can ever say. Please keep me in your prayers, is going to be a long road going forward without my best friend with me. I love you all!
Great work Chad. Mike was the first person to run up to me in 08 on HRPT and say ” Hi- I’m Mike- this is Donna, we are Redragtop,…. Who are you?” After telling him who we were, I asked if he welcomed everyone like this, he replied,” yes, but I saw the Bangshift sticker on your car- that makes you family”.
I will miss Mike greatly. My deepest condolences to Donna and family…..
Rest in peace, brother.
My condolences to the family.
Mike was an awesome man and I’m glad I got to meet him and Donna. Cruise on Mike!
Rest easy, Mike.
one of my brothers who adopted me on (& off) the Tour. He was a little bit of heaven that now has returned to home base. I will truly miss you my friend
May you RIP Mike Rocket man Frank’s I am proud to have called you a friend I will miss you and will think of you often. Donna may you and your family find peace in knowing how much he love you all and it showed in his eyes every time he talked about you! God bless you all.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mike & Donna for the first time on our annual October run. The cruise started in Massachusetts and went through NH, before ending in VT. They took a chance on the unknown and came all the way east from their home state of Michigan.
I was able to hook up with them at a Friday’s the night before our event and within 5 minutes I knew he was a great guy. He also came right up and introduced himself and we hit it off right away, because he seemed to have the same sense of humor as myself.
As with everyone else, I was shocked and saddened to hear the news of his passing. I only met him that one time, but I was still happy to be able to call him my friend.
Donna, I wish you all the strength to get through, in this time of need,
TJ
Laura & I first met Mike at lunch after the GM Heritage Center event the Friday before the 2012 Power Tour. He was just one of those guys that made a positive impression the first time that you met him. We did not see him again until the end of that years tour. He came up to us where we were gassing up to head home & noted that we had missed the group picture. And said “stand over there & I will get a picture of you two together so you do not feel left out. We exchanged pictures & laughed about it. With Mike you instantly knew what you were getting. After that he was always the first one to greet us when we rolled into the day before the tours Bangshift events. He was simply salt of the earth & will be greatly missed. All of our prayers & best wishes are yours, Donna. If there is anything we can do to help, just let us know. Mike & Laura (67 Malibu)
My sincerest condolences to the family.
What a great tribute to a great guy. Mike never met a stranger and he embodied all the great things about our hobby. He will be dearly missed and live on in our fond memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Donna.
Met Mike and Donna at The Woodward Dream Cruise. We hopped in the Cutlass and went crusin’ Woodward. We picked up a copy of his Cutlass but a 442. The 442 was nice but we were having more fun.
It was a great time and a happy memory. I hope Donna eventually finds peace – this is a tough one. A great guy, for sure.
Dan
Sad news. May his soul rest in peace and the god give the courage to his family in this tough time.
Godspeed my Friend
DTB
I remember meeting on 2010 pt and they were a great couple, so sorry at your lose Donna.
Fun story, Powertour 2011 infield of Indy 500 track we’re sitting there waiting to get out, Mike and Donna in the Red Cutlass. Buddy in his black TA is on fumes at this point. Mike and Buddy come up with a grand plan “let’s yang my fuel line off the old’s carb, into a small gas can…so I’m sitting there and we’re drinking and cranking the old’s over filling a gas can…got Buddy enough gas to get around the Indy track and to the gas station.
God speed man. You’ll be missed and I’ll make sure I crack a beer in remembrance on tour this year at each stop for ya.
Condolences to family and friends, never had the opportunity to meet, but by the sounds of it he was a helluva good guy.
Justin