Tracey Allen Franks

Tracey Allen Franks, age 59 of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Tracey was born on November 26, 1965, in Seymour, Indiana, to parents Bruce and Virginia (Elliott) Franks. Tracey was the oldest of three brothers.

Tracey married Anita Kay Erb on February 21, 2011, in Cocoa Beach, Florida. He is survived by his parents of Dupont, Indiana, loving wife Anita Erb Franks of Indianapolis, brothers Todd Franks and Troy (wife Chelsea) Franks, as well as Troy and Chelsey’s children, Colton and Caidey. 

He is survived by his children, daughter Sydney (Nick Stackhouse) Franks, son Tristan (fiancé Alma Cima) Franks, and son Trace (Kaylee Seniors) Franks, all of Columbus, Indiana, as well as the mother of his children, Angela Franks. He is also survived by Anita’s children, Mikayla (Joshua Morgan) Burrell and Keegan (Joseph) Burrell-Gray, as well as many other family members and friends. Tracey is preceded in death by three children in infancy: Mariah, Courtney, and Thomas. 

Tracey grew up in Dupont, Indiana. He attended Madison High School, graduating in the class of 1984. After high school, Tracey continued his education at Purdue University, graduating in 1988 with an engineering degree.

Tracey took great pride in his career as an electrical engineer. One of his proudest professional accomplishments was helping lead the development of the automation for one of the country’s first online pharmacies, Medco. He was also instrumental in the design and startup of the Cummins Columbus Midrange Engine Plant. Tracey also worked at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, NOK and Eli Lilly and Company. 

Tracey led a very full life. His passions were his children, his wife, his family and friends, his dogs, Stitch Franks and Little Girl Layla, and all things motorcycle. He was a member of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America with which he enjoyed going to countless rallies. Tracey enjoyed traveling the country on his motorcycles with Anita, family, and friends. Tracey never met a stranger. He had the gift of making everything he experienced an adventure, whether it was a trip to hardware stores or riding the Pacific Coast Highway. After every adventure with family and friends, he would always say, “Life is a good ride.”

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 3:30 PM at Flanner Buchanan – Geist Funeral Center, located at 7855 Cork Road, Indianapolis, IN 46236. A continued time of visiting will follow the memorial service from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.