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Don Franklin's funeral -- a reflection of his life

Don Franklin's funeral was a reflection of all he had been to his family, friends and customers over the years of his life. Several hundred people filled every corner of the dealership building to pay their final respects.

Harmonies filled the air with his favorite songs, sung without musical insruments, holding with the tradition of his Church of Christ.

The first to speak was his long-time friend and business associate Richard Lee Walker.



Walker said, "Don Franklin came to see me after he was diagnosed. I asked how he was and he said, 'Well, I want to whip this thing, but if I can't it will be alright. Either way it will be alright.' Don was a devoted father and husband who lived his faith and he always worked to make Columbia and Adair County a better place."

Bro. Jay Street said, "I've known Don Franklin for 12 years and my life has never been the same since I met him -- he is a hero to me. He was a quiet and true gentle man. He told his sons and grandsons to be gentle and kind. Don walked his talk -- his motto was 'God's will be done in all things.' We are thankful for the life he lived showing family and friends a reflection of Jesus Christ. Don's trademark was to put the letter F everywhere. He would laugh with us when we talked about all the good things the letter stood for: father, family, first, future, and food which he loved. Don was a generous man who called himself "just a steward".

Minister Kenneth Wilson said, "If Don were here right now, he'd tell each of us to prepare for this day -- the way you live, what you do and your relationship with God -- for each and every one of us has to face this same day. He would say, just prepare."

When the speakers had finished and the last song was over, the long, long line of friends and family began to file past the casket to shake hands with family members who sat across from it, and then one by one to gather in front of the dealership to wait for Don's body to be brought out for the trip across the road.

His casket was loaded onto a new black Ford truck, one of his favorite rides, which led the procession of mourners slowly up the hill to Don's final resting place. His family walked behind him, hand in hand, supporting each other.

His grandsons spoke eloquently through their tears, describing the hero their grandfather was to them in life, and would always be in their hearts.


This story was posted on 2008-07-18 22:25:52
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