Maxum "Max" Franz

Maxum Carl “Max” Franz passed away in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 6th, 2026. He was twenty eight years old. He was a son and a big brother to three siblings.

Max was born on February 20th, 1998, in Traverse City, Michigan, to Gary and Judy Franz. He graduated from Traverse City Central High School, after attending Old Mission Peninsula Elementary School and East Middle School. Max was an engaged athlete as a member of the football, basketball, and track teams, and enjoyed disc golf in the summertime. No matter what sport or game he played, he was ceaselessly competitive and always tried to win. He played defensive end as part of the undefeated Traverse City Trojans football team in 2016.

He studied at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. From high school on, Max worked in restaurants in Traverse City, Grand Rapids, and Mackinac Island. He learned about rare and intriguing drinks and food, and he never turned down an opportunity to have fun with his co-workers. Max had an intuitive ability to connect with customers, and is remembered by many as an uplifting presence who could brighten anyone’s day. He was unfailing under pressure, and enjoyed the challenge, satisfaction, and concentration of hard work. To his friends he was famous for making entertaining “concoctions,” often for a laugh. Though he ate like a bottomless pit, it was common for people to remark on his muscular build. In 2024, Max moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he continued to work in restaurants.

Max often said that he worked in order to travel. He explored Asia and Europe, and fully embraced the adventure of experiencing different cultures and religions: he often found himself taking long walks at night and stumbling upon bars and restaurants in Switzerland, visiting temples in Japan, or camping out in the kitchen of a newly-met stranger in Thailand. Max found calm in nature around the world and developed hobbies in scuba diving and rock climbing; he said he loved how quiet and peaceful the underwater world felt during dives. Max had planned an upcoming trip to Norway with his friends and, as he often did, had not booked a return ticket. Between his work and his travels, he made countless friends across the world and imagined many, many future trips to visit them.

No matter what the day held, Max always carried a speaker with him. Music was an essential part of his life. He shared countless songs of all genres with his friends and family, and took pride in crafting the perfect playlist for a night of euchre or an afternoon at the beach.

He is remembered by his friends and family as an incredibly bright, gregarious, selfless, and sensitive person; he more than once gave strangers the last dollar in his wallet. He was loved by his friend’s families and is remembered by them as instinctively caring. Max always took the time to connect with parents and siblings. He felt wholly comfortable around kids, who were drawn to him and his youthful spirit. It was normal to see him hoisting a child up on his broad shoulders for fun.

Max is survived by his father, Gary Franz, his mother, Judy Franz, his brother, Sam, and his sisters, Kenzi and Adeline.

His funeral will be held at Life Story Funeral Home in Traverse City, Michigan, on Saturday, October 17th. Visitation will be held from 12:00–1:30pm, followed by a service beginning at 1:30pm.

Max loved animals, especially his childhood dogs Bailey and Remy. Donations in his memory can be sent to his family or to the Cherryland Humane Society.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and for more information.