Tribute to John Frank
Cross MC, Marines MC, BACA MC, Sovaros MC, First
Five MC, Voodoo Crew RC, A.B.A.T.E. of Louisiana,
Inc., and Patriot Guard Riders.. If I have missed any
club or organization I apologize, there were so many!
On December 12, 2015 a birthday party was
held for him at Bayou Thunder in Shreveport, which
I was unable to attend to due a prior commitment.
I truly regretted this and more so now because I
would have loved to had the chance to have met him
personally.
I have always heard of John Frank in a lot of
groups in the biker community and have seen him
at certain events, but I never knew him personally.
Since his death I’ve heard many people speak not only
respectfully of John Frank, but reverently. John Frank
was a hero in many ways to many people. The number
of bikers and other people who showed for his service
was proof enough of this.
Gene Pellerin of Pellerin Funeral Home out of Breaux
Bridge took John Frank on his Last Ride in the
motorcycle hearse while escorted and honored by:
400 bikes, which included close to 30 clubs from 1%’ers
to Christian, 2 organizations and many independent
riders. Bikers from Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma,
Arkansas, and Mississippi. Clubs and organizations
who were in attendance: Gray Ghosts MC, Bandidos
MC, Noble Sons RC, Boozefighters MC, Hell on
Wheels MC, The Band MC, Tribe of Judah MC,
Nakotosh Priesthood MC, Lone Wolf MC, Millennium
MC, Circuit Riders MC, Confederates MC, Hole-NDa-Wall MC, Road Shakers MC, Radiant Thunder
MC, Combat Vets MA, Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets MC,
Los Solitarios MC, Veterans of Vietnam MC, Running
Dogs RC, LA Riders MC, Thunder Heads MC, Soldiers
Friends from two different riding clubs have
told me John was the reason they have their clubs.
John was instrumental in these clubs being formed.
I met with Gray Ghost Lou Hagler on Jan
15th for coffee and good conversation and he stated
to me, “John took care of business” and didn’t let his
illness stop him. Gray Ghost Lou said, “John patched
into the Gray Ghosts on April 17th, 1997 after 2
years, 2 months, and 2 days as a prospect, which was
the longest time ever and he vowed nobody would
ever beat his time.” John took a leadership role in the
Gray Ghosts expanding across the state, a growing
brotherhood.
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Following John Frank’s service, Tanya LaGrange, the
Noble Sons Riding Club, and the ladies provided food
and had an after party at The Bar in Many, Louisiana.
I missed yet another great party for John Frank due to
the weather taking a turn, with a slight possibility of
snow and an hour ride ahead of me.
Gray Ghost Ambassador and Sabine Parish President
Freddie Grappe stated John cannot be replaced, no
man can fill his shoes. Freddie was able to call John at
any given time and ask a question about any chapter
or club or ask for any phone number and John would
always be able to answer right then; he was sharpminded. John was one of Freddie’s very best friends
and his mentor.
We need more men like John Franklin Lewis not only
in the biker community, but in the world as a whole;
it’s always sad when we lose one like him. I have a
feeling he lived a life that could span many lifetimes for
the common man and I definitely know the impact he
made on the biker community. Thank you for all you
have done for our community, Gray Ghost John Frank!
You will definitely be missed by many!
by Stacey “Snoopy” Conly, Graphic by Tonia Bridges
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