We have years of experience caring for families from all walks of life, cultures and faiths. Our unsurpassed staff and our family provide kind, caring, professional service. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession who are dedicated to excellence in service, adhere to the highest funeral industry standards, and have exceptional integrity. We consistently earn phenomenally high customer satisfaction survey results.
Our licensed, professional staff is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call 209-529-5723 anytime. We will even come to you to make arrangements in the comfort of your home.
Prompt, compassionate service is always just a phone call away, where and when you need it.
Managing Partner
Kristi Ah You is our Managing Partner of Franklin & Downs, Kristi is married to Bart Ah You and together they have six adult children, and two grandchildren. Kristi is a lifelong resident of Modesto and considers Modesto to be her home. Bart and Kristi enjoy spending time with family and friends, attending Redeemer Church in downtown Modesto and Community Groups, traveling and living an active healthy life style.
She was elected to the Modesto City Council in 2015 and currently services as Chair of the Great Safe Neighborhoods and Vice Chair of Effective Government Committees.
Kristi Ah You' s additional contributions to our community and participation include: Past President of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Employee Foundation; Past Board Member for the California State Coroners’ Association; Previous Member of the Stanislaus County Death Review Team; Project Coordinator of “Keeping Infants Sleeping Safe,” in partnership with Stanislaus County Department of Public Health; Past member of the Stanislaus County Child Abuse Prevention Council; Salvation Army Advisory Board; and the Stanislaus County Office of Education Leadership Academy Board. Kristi is a current board member with Community Hospice. One of her most memorable experiences was when she participated in a vocational and cultural exchange and traveled to Chennai, India as a participant in the Group Study Exchange through Rotary 5220, sponsored by Modesto Sunrise Rotary. Kristi Ah You is a current Board member serving the California State Funeral Directors Association.
Kristi accepted the position as Managing Partner of Franklin & Downs Funeral Homes in November of 2011. Kristi graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and received an Associate's degree in Mortuary Science and later earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and completed course work towards a Masters in Forensics. She considers it an honor to be in a position of serving others, and providing quality servant leadership to her team and our community.
Advanced Planning Counselor
Photojournalist Bart Ah You has been capturing moments in the lives of people throughout California for more than a quarter century. His images became a staple of everyday life for Central Valley residents during his award-winning career at the Modesto Bee. His work has appeared on book covers and in magazines such as Time, Newsweek and People, as well as in newspapers throughout the country. He has also been the recipient of many accolades and awards for his work with McClatchy Press throughout the years.Funeral Director/Embalmer
In 1957, during his junior year in high school, Leroy Hart began his funeral career in Sioux City, Iowa at Berkemier Funeral Home. His job duties included assisting with funeral services and the usual duties associated with funeral homes.Funeral Director/Embalmer
Navaz is a licensed funeral director and embalmer who joined us in June 2017.
She has been a lifelong resident of Modesto and is currently attending CSU Stanislaus. Navaz may have began her career in funeral service on a whim*, but quickly realized it was not an average "9 to 5;" she was truly touched by the relationships made assisting families in their first steps through grief and caring for their loved ones.
Navaz served her apprenticeship and began work at Turlock Memorial Park and Funeral Home in 2011 and Hillview Funeral Chapels in 2016. She is the secretary of the Valley Lode Funeral Directors' Association.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading classic novels, flying stunt and power kites, various crafts, and playing double bass in local orchestras. She aims to obtain her bachelor's in operations management, and music performance.
*Navaz was inspired to work with a funeral home from her first car and daily driver, "Gomez," a green 1988 Buick LeSabre Estate Wagon hearse. It was purchased to haul around her upright bass, but she took a cue from the car, researched mortuary service, and began sending out applications. Regrettably, Gomez has since been sold but Navaz continues to keep an eye out for another special wagon.
Administrative Assistant
Brenda is one of our bilingual (English/Spanish) staff members who currently works full-time as an administrative assistant. She works very diligently to make sure that every family member has proper permits and death certificates. When the need arises, Brenda also meets with families as a funeral arranger. Brenda was raised in Waterford, California, graduating high school from Waterford High School and currently resides in the Ceres area.
Brenda and her son are members of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church where they attend Sunday morning mass. She is an avid Dodgers fan and enjoys cheering for her son’s many sports activities. Brenda looks forward to continuing her education and following her dreams of being in law enforcement.
Administrative Assistant
Prior to her career at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home, Mary worked in many of the legal clerk positions in the law enforcement field in Stanislaus County for 12 years. Mary has also worked for Staples, USPS, Hunt Wesson, and the City of Ceres. Mary has been a caregiver since she was 11 years old and has experienced caring for others with multiple medical conditions, hospice and with VA home health care assistance. Mary feels very blessed to be in such a caring environment that she has found in the team at Franklin & Downs.
The loss of Mary's father in 2018 brought to fruition her desire to work within the funeral industry. She enjoys assisting others in any capacity for which she has the ability and given the opportunity. Mary enjoys listening and sharing life experiences and accomplishments with the many families for whom she comes in contact.
In Mary's free time, she loves spending it with family and friends. Whether it is playing a musical instrument, needle or picture crafting, whale watching, enjoying the forest, working in the garden, or cooking meals for family or guests, helping others is her greatest passion.
Site Safety Coordinator
Matthew Parrott was born and raised in Modesto graduating from Modesto High School. He is responsible for security and safety regulations for the funeral home. He is extremely diligent in assuring that all operations within the funeral home meet the high standards set forth by our mission statement.
Matthew has worked for Franklin & Downs since March of 2018. He looks forward to completing his college education and advancing within the company.
You are welcome to call us any time of the day, any day of the week, for immediate assistance. Or, visit our funeral home in person at your convenience.