Butch Franklin
After graduation from Beaumont High School in 1948, he was offered baseball scholarships from The University of Texas and Stephen F. Austin State University. He decided to follow his dear friend, Gene Hatton to Stephen F. Austin State University, and after one week of school he determined he would join the United States Navy instead. He served two years and during this time he played baseball in Memphis, Tennessee and football in Alameda, California.
After being discharged from the Navy, he attended The University of Texas where he played baseball and joined Sigma Nu Fraternity, which he thoroughly enjoyed. After two and a half years of school, he shipped out with the Merchant Marines. Following his tour of duty, he returned to Stephen F. Austin State University where he completed his degree in business administration. Butch met his future beloved wife, Patsy Ann Kendrick and they married on June 8, 1954, and celebrated forty-nine years of marriage together.
Butch worked for and retired from Gulf States Utilities after thirty years of service in customer accounting. Throughout his life he served on many civic boards, including Boy's Village, president of the Credit Bureau, chairman of United Appeals, board member of the Rotary Club, The Red Cross, Arthritis Foundation, and headed the Mother's March. In addition, he served on the board for Southwest Louisiana Council of Law Enforcement, Beaumont Young Men's Business League, and Salvation Army.
The most important thing he and Patsy did was adopting two baby boys and in five years had a little girl. His greatest joy was spending time with friends, family and playing golf. Butch was the ultimate people person, who never met a stranger and made all around him feel special.
Survivors include his son, John Glenn Franklin of Hemphill; daughter, Shelly Franklin Perkins and her husband, David, of The Woodlands; grandchildren, Danielle Franklin of Winnemucca, Nevada, Katherine, Kristy and Kevin Franklin, all of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Samantha and Aaron Perkins, both of The Woodlands.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Terry Ray Franklin; and brother, Wallace G. Franklin.
A gathering of Mr. Franklin's family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 1, 2012, at Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 2, 2012, at Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street, with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army, 2350 IH10 East, Beaumont, Texas 77703; or Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702.