Jon Richard Franklin

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Annette, brother Charles (Frances) Franklin, daughters Frances (Kelly) Offield, Tracy Franklin and Linda (Jon) Lanier; stepdaughters Lynna (Charles) Ray and Cindy (Ron) Bentch; grandchildren Shawn Schroder, Zachary (Karsten) Offield, Heath Kincaid, Jon (Angela) Lanier, Ryan (Amanda Worth) Lanier, as well as great grandchildren Karson and Hudson Schroder, Camden and Maddie Offield, and Sunny Worth-Lanier and other extended family members.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Wilmer Brown and Frances (Smith) Franklin; sister Marilynn Reder; and brother, David Franklin as well as his stepson, Bobby Stout.

Richard was born in Crowell TX on June 2, 1936, and when he was young his family moved to Vernon and then Wichita Falls TX, where he attended Crockett Elementary, Zundy Junior High and Wichita Falls High School, graduating in 1954. During high school he was on the wrestling team and tried his hand at the trombone, joking that he’d watch the other trombone players and try to mimic their movements.

During college he worked for Burns Petroleum, roughnecking in all kinds of weather. In 1958 he graduated from Midwestern State University with a degree in geology, and for most of his professional career worked as a geologist, driller and salesman for Elgin, Lane Wells, Dresser Atlas Industries and Gearhart Owens in Texas and Mississippi. He was also commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Army, serving at Ft. Hood after college.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and son, caring for his parents in their later years. He enjoyed farming and ranching, welding and building as well as sharing his love of knowledge with everyone who’d listen. He was a fixture in his community and loved making people laugh. He will be deeply missed. Graveside services will be at Crestview Memorial Park, Wichita Falls, TX.