Pastor Israel Franco, age 64, of Hugoton, Kansas, died Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Stevens County Hospital in Hugoton. He was born June 2, 1958, in Lubbock, Texas, the son of Armando and Aurora (Sanchez) Franco.

Israel grew up in Garden City, Kansas, 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 on 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, Tennessee, and the last 8 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 of Garden City, Pastor Rafael Franco and wife Ludi of Lakin, Mike Franco of Ulysses, Homer Franco and wife Mavi of Ulysses, Olivia Salsedo of Garden City, and Eddie Franco and wife Jean of Ulysses; sister-in-law, Enedelia Franco of Monett, Missouri; brother-in-law, Jeff Fowler of Ulysses; brother-in-law, Keith O’Neal and wife Judy of 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; and sister, Elida Fowler; brother-in-law, Felix Salsedo.

Funeral service will be Friday, May 12, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Oasis Church in Ulysses with Pastor Rafael Franco officiating. The service will be live streamed on Garnand Funeral Home Facebook page. Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the First Church of God in Hugoton. 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.