Dale Clarke Franz,

Dale Clarke Franz, 51, died unexpectedly in his sleep on Feb. 6, 2015, at his home in Cumming, GA. He is survived by his wife, Ninette Sauro Franz; his children, Nicolas (b. 1991), Mariisa (1994), and Christian (2000); his brothers, Douglas Franz (1969) and William Stevens (1975); and his parents, Dale Franz Sr. and Sandra Franz.

Dale was born Aug. 18, 1963, to the late Barbara Stevens in Philadelphia, PA. He grew up in Virginia Beach, VA, Freehold and Delran, N.J., Glenside, PA, and Great Falls, VA, where he was graduated from Langley High School. He attended Virginia Wesleyan and Old Dominion Universities in Norfolk, and Judson College in Elgin, IL, where he was class president in 1997-8..

At the time of his death, Dale was an executive director for Cox Communications, Inc. in Atlanta, GA. He was a specialist in business and information technology, starting his career at Sprint Communications, where his work included project management of a residential service operation for more than 2,000 customers. At Charter Communications in St. Louis, MO, his work included consolidating 350 contact center sites to 15 standard centers within three years.

He helped lead the Customer Care organization at Cox through what the company describes as tremendous change during 2014, and most recently oversaw a team of 27 full-time employees.

Dale was a photographer, loved fishing, played golf, and especially enjoyed walking in the outdoors. He and his German Shepherd Java spent hours every week in the Schutzhund dog training program that concentrates on obedience, protection, and tracking. He was active in the Georgia Aquarium organization and the Boy Scouts. He was a researcher and reader in a wide range of subjects, from social networks like Facebook to scientific journals, from Jeep Wranglers to climate change, and always with a keen eye for good humor.

To his family and friends, he will be forever remembered as a quiet man who always lit up a room, and to any children he encountered, a big person who was one of them.


Condolences may be expressed at www.mcdonaldandson.com.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886.9899