I was blessed to have John as a friend for over 12 years, and am grateful to have had him in my life. John had the 'Franke' style, class and looks, but he also had the substance - the strength of character - to back it up. Filled with integrity, kindness, loyalty, humor and mischief, he had a wonderful impact on the world around him and those that knew him.

Born May 11, 1971 at Ft. Benning, GA to Steve and Betty Franke, John was destined to have a strong sense of right and wrong, and an unfailing ability to assert himself when he thought he was in the right. He once told his friend Eric that he had received all the good characteristics from Steve and Betty... and none of the bad. Taking annual hunting trips back to Long Island with his dad from an early age, John developed a great appreciation for nature, and was always active. He became a team captain while playing linebacker for Inglemoor High School's varsity football team. When I talked to him about playing, he'd tell me 'any shot's a good shot, but a cheap shot's the best shot'. He attacked life like a linebacker. Throughout his life he always had a great intellectual curiosity and acumen. He could engage you on just about any topic, and if he didn't know about a particular subject he would freely admit it, and be open to learn - not letting his opinions get in the way of his knowledge.

Growing up John developed a tremendous love for our country, and the rights, freedoms and principles enshrined in our founding. He knew that to be a responsible citizen, it required being informed and acting on that information. He financially supported candidates he believed in, and was always ready to engage in animated, friendly debates of ideas and positions. He did this in the belief that we need to leave things better than we find them.

John worked for Trendwest / Wyndham resorts for 16 successful years, becoming the youngest ever director at age 27. He knew the value of hard work, and was always willing to help others in creating and leading successful teams. He traveled to Fiji and worked for Trendwest South Pacific in Australia for a year, and the time he spent there had a lasting impact on him. John loved the beauty of the South Pacific, and always wanted to return someday.

It was while working for TrendWest that John met Secil, and that began a fantastic love story. After I joined the Army, I emailed John from overseas in June of 2005 asking what he was up to, and how his fiancee was doing. He replied within 15 minutes with a question and a statement - the question, typical John - was there was anything he could send me, and the statement - he didn't have a fiancee yet - while he kept asking, Secil kept saying no.

Eventually Secil did say yes, and on Sept 27th of 2008, Secil married John - knowing that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and prior to his first surgery, which they were unsure he would get through and not need constant care. John talked about Secil often, and he had a tremendous love and respect for her that came through whenever he did. He was so grateful to have Secil able to work with his doctors to ensure that he was getting the best care he could, and continually impressed with her knowledge and ability to help look for answers. He talked of being able to see Turkey with her - the beauty of the country, and how Secil was such a great bargainer in the markets. He was always interested in other cultures and open to being able to experience and share them, often asking me my thoughts about Iraq and Afghanistan.

On May 23rd, 2009 Aleena was born. While dealing with chemo, radiation, and the after-effects of his surgery, John became an amazing father. While his illness prevented him from working, he was still able to do one thing that meant the world to him - taking care of his daughter. He went on play-dates with Tisha and Calvin (Tisha added men to her mom's group so John could have other male 'mom' friends). During the 14 months from June 2010 through August of 2011, he attended 33 meeting/play dates, never failing to bring Tisha coffee, despite the effects of his cyclic regimes of radiation and chemo. He would carry a pink-and brown 'purse', or diaper bag unashamedly, but Tisha got him a diaper-dude (apparently the Franke charm couldn't overcome that one). He fit in well, and, as usual, made fast friends with the group. John was an attentive and caring father, who had a way of communicating with love, affection, and firmness that Aleena really responded to. It wasn't uncommon to see other kids gathered around John and Aleena when they were at playgrounds or in public, wanting to play with them as well.

John and Secil gave regularly to charity, and their generosity extended to letting others in need live with them for free when in hardship. They opened their home several times that I know of (even after one 'guest' left with more items than they came with), in addition to putting me up every time I was in town. John never failed to ask if there was anything he could do for you - he was the most loyal and giving friend you could have, up to a fault. He once took a DUI for a 'friend' - after the friend told him he would likely lose custody if he was arrested (again). Despite never being paid back for the thousands that it cost (much less having it on his record), John didn't stop his generosity to those he considered friends. In May of 2007 a coworker named Lynn Wartel needed help. John sent out a mass email to raise funds - saying that we may or may not know Lynn, but we do know him - and he would match the first $500 that came in. If you were in need, you had no better friend than John. He always seemed to see the best in the people that he cared about, and that is something to learn from and cherish. Everybody I introduced John to after moving to Blaine would ask how he was doing - my neighbors brought ME flowers when they heard he had passed. He made friends wherever he went.

John never once complained to me about what he had to go through. His standard reply was, 'It is what it is.'. When going to get weighed for chemo, he loaded his pockets with change, keys, and phones to 'weigh more' - explaining that he could handle the effects, and if they gave him a bigger dose it was more likely to work. His ability to deal with such a terrible disease has been inspirational. Two months ago he had Steve take him out shopping. What was the guy with a terminal prognosis, who had trouble remembering a conversation he had 5 minutes before, who was fighting the effects of the poison meant to stop his tumor, shopping for? He bought me a wine bar. He told me he thought it would really look good in a certain spot in my house (of course, he was right).

I don't know anyone else who would be unfailingly thinking of others at a time like that, but that was John. He once told me, after his surgery and being let go because of his illness, unable to get new work because of his condition, that he just wanted to be able to volunteer somewhere, to help others if he could - to make a difference. While there have been times when the anger and frustration came through, he was still John through it all - and he was able to see what a loving wife and family he had. It is because of their tremendous love, support, dedication and caring that he was able to spend his time at home up until his passing. That, and the knowledge that no hospital could hold the man.

Proceeded in death by his mother Betty 18 years earlier, John passed peacefully on Dec. 26, 2011 - fittingly for a scrapper like him, it was Boxing Day. After being taken to the hospital Friday, Dec. 23rd, one of his surgeons, Dr. Foltz, would ignore protocol and visit him each night. While he was lucid that first night he kissed Dr. Foltz' hand and told him that he was happy. His lasting impact on those around him is a testament to his character and him as a man. He may not be with us physically any more, but we will all cherish the time that we did get with him and I believe that he is in a better place now, with God.

Knowing that every day is precious and uncertain, it is up to us to take some lessons from John. Whether it's his absolute love of life - he scuba dove, skydived, and explored cultures on 3 continents, or whether it's his ability to see the best in the people he cared about, his loyalty to those he loved, or his sense of right and wrong - and willingness to jump in and get involved to help correct the wrongs, we owe it to John to examine our lives and emulate what we see best in the best of us.