Ron Franz Cause of Death

Former Kansas men’s basketball captain Ron Franz died on Monday, October 3, 2022, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He was 76 years old at the time. His cause of death has not been made public.

Franz played three seasons at Kansas under head coach Ted Owens, from 1965-66 to 1966-67. Franz, a 6-foot-7 forward from Kansas City, Kansas, was a team captain in 1966-67 and appeared in 79 games for the Jayhawks.

Franz averaged 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game during his KU career. In 1966-67, he had his best season, averaging 12.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

The Detroit Pistons selected Franz in the fourth round of the 1967 NBA Draft. Franz moved to Memphis, Tennessee, after finishing his basketball career, and worked as a general contractor and home builder.

He founded R.S. Franz Construction, which built homes in Tennessee, Florida, and Arkansas. He and Georgia would eventually retire to Fort Walton Beach, Florida.