Nicholas Anthony Franco, age 44, died in Dallas, TX on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, following a short battle with cancer. Born on January 31, 1977 in Visalia, CA, his family moved to Denver, CO shortly after his birth and would eventually settle in El Paso, TX, where he was educated and graduated from Hanks High School. It was at Hanks during freshman year on a fateful morning in January 1992, that he would cross paths with a young lady who would eventually become his wife. Nick and April became fast friends and defying all logic, decided to embark on a long-distance relationship, as she was moving away shortly after they met. For two years, they survived their time apart and she returned for senior year. They graduated from high school and moved to Fort Collins, CO to attend Colorado State University where Nick received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Painting. Nick and April were married on a snowy day in February 2000 in Fort Collins. The following year, they welcomed their son, Jackson. The family moved to Phoenix, AZ where Nick was an art educator and spent two years as an artist in residence for the City of Phoenix. He pursued his Master of Fine Arts degree at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, having moved to Oak Park, IL. Nick moved to Dallas, TX to continue his work as an art educator for Dallas ISD. Mostly recently, he was a high school graphic design instructor for Irving ISD. Nick was a creative and talented artist who enjoyed painting and graphic arts. His three favorite places to be were a museum, a movie theater, and a church because it was in these places you would have a shared experience with people around you who you may or may not know. He saw the beauty in everything around him and in every person he met. Survivors include his wife, April and son, Jackson; his parents, Hope and Hector Franco; his brother Danny (Adrienne) Franco, nephews Tyler and Kai, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws. Nick was preceded in death by his grandfather, Enrique Franco, and grandparents, John and Esperanza Hitchens. A private memorial service is pending and will be held in El Paso, TX. Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website. Arrangements under the direction of: Aria Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700