Our Beginning

Since 1882, our funeral home has grown with Comanche. Our funeral home was first located downtown in the Higginbotham building on the square, later moving to 501 West Grand Avenue as Comanche Funeral Home. In 1972, we moved to our current address, 411 West Grand Avenue. For over 100 years, Comanche County families have depended on our caring staff. We are local folks, here when you need us. Since 1882, we have faithfully cared for hundreds of families. Families can depend on us to provide the funeral they selected, exactly as they preplanned the service.

Porter Franks

Porter B. Franks was born and raised near Comanche, where his parents were prominent farmers. Porter had always desired to become a medical doctor, and his father gave him one year's crop to pay for college in Brownwood, Texas.


He studied in Brownwood for two years, working part time and joining the National Guard to make extra money during the summer months. Porter decided he could not continue this pace, and asked Mr. John Williams, the superintendent of Higginbotham Brothers Store in downtown Comanche, for a job.


In 1926, he was hired to work in the furniture department. This department included undertaking services, and since Porter enjoyed helping people, he quickly realized that he was well suited to become a funeral director. The undertaking department was located in the back part of the Higginbotham Brothers Store and included an embalming room, casket room, and a small sitting room.

A black and white photo of an elderly woman wearing glasses.

The Higginbotham Brothers Company sent Porter to the Dallas School of Embalming, which was located in the Ed C. Smith and Brothers Undertaking Company in Dallas, Texas. After completing the course in six weeks, Porter returned to work at Higginbotham Brothers in the funeral department in Comanche, Texas.


In 1928, Porter met and married Tillie. In 1930, their only child, Jan, was born. Porter Franks continued to develop and improve the funeral department, and in the late 1930s, Higginbotham Brothers Company gave Porter a share of ownership.

First Funeral Home

In the early 1920s, the notion of "funeral homes" emerged. Many hardware companies moved their undertaking operations into a large home, thus leading to the name "funeral home." Porter Franks and Higginbotham Brothers opened their first funeral home jointly on January 1, 1940. The one-story building with a nice chapel was built at 501 West Grand Avenue, and the business also included an ambulance service. Porter believed in ambulance services as a way for families to get to know him and his funeral home. During WWII, Porter, Tillie, and John Williams worked hard to keep the funeral home going. They made many ambulance calls transporting soldiers back to Brownwood after the soldiers got into fights in Comanche while on leave.


In the late 1970s when wage and hour laws appeared, Porter fought hard to keep the ambulance service -- but had to give it up in December 1976. Porter had a stroke at age 60, and although he recovered somewhat, he had to retire at age 65. He still came to the funeral home every day, and Tillie became more involved in managing the funeral home. Porter died July 21, 1990. Tillie died 9 years later on August 28, 1999, at age 90. Their daughter, now Dr. Jan Mallett, remains active on the company's Board of Directors.

In the early 1920s, the notion of "funeral homes" emerged. Many hardware companies moved their undertaking operations into a large home, thus leading to the name "funeral home." Porter Franks and Higginbotham Brothers opened their first funeral home jointly on January 1, 1940. The one-story building with a nice chapel was built at 501 West Grand Avenue, and the business also included an ambulance service. Porter believed in ambulance services as a way for families to get to know him and his funeral home. During WWII, Porter, Tillie, and John Williams worked hard to keep the funeral home going. They made many ambulance calls transporting soldiers back to Brownwood after the soldiers got into fights in Comanche while on leave.

In the late 1970s when wage and hour laws appeared, Porter fought hard to keep the ambulance service -- but had to give it up in December 1976. Porter had a stroke at age 60, and although he recovered somewhat, he had to retire at age 65. He still came to the funeral home every day, and Tillie became more involved in managing the funeral home. Porter died July 21, 1990. Tillie died 9 years later on August 28, 1999, at age 90. Their daughter, now Dr. Jan Mallett, remains active on the company's Board of Directors.

New Building

In 1972, Comanche Funeral Home finished a new, modern funeral home at 411 West Grand Avenue, right across the street from the first location. In 1997, the Comanche Funeral Home redecorated the entire building. We marked our 25th anniversary at this location with a well-attended open house. In 2009, the interior of our funeral home was refurbished with new carpeting and flooring throughout the funeral home. We are proud to serve Comanche, and welcome you to come by anytime to meet our staff and tour of facilities.

Dependable

Today, Comanche Funeral Home has been Comanche's funeral home of choice for over 100 years. Even though there have been other funeral homes in this area, Comanche Funeral Home has remained the dependable firm for your prepaid funeral policies and prearrangements. Your preneed plans are safe with us, just like they have been for many decades at Comanche Funeral Home. Families can be comforted knowing that their final wishes will be fully honored.


We also honor all valid preneed policies from the former Hall and Son Funeral Home. Comanche Funeral Home will furnish the same casket and services specified by the valid Hall and Son Funeral Home preneed policies. Please call Katrina Smith if you have any additional questions at (325) 356-2531 anytime.

Who We Are

Our staff is here to provide you with excellent care and service during your time of loss. Get to know the people who will help you through the planning process.

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