Walter "Dan" D. Franklin Jr.

Walter Daniel “Dan” Franklin Jr., 74, passed away on May 14th, 2022, in Indio, California. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona at St. Joseph’s Hospital to Walter Daniel Franklin and Marilyn Marie Morrill on May 4th, 1948.

Dan grew up in Phoenix and graduated from Cortez High School in 1966. As a young man, he attended college and began his career at Arizona Public Service (APS). His work colleagues knew him as Walt. He traveled for work around the country, which he loved to do, including Tennessee, Washington, northern Arizona, and California. He committed more than 25 years as a Journeyman Lineman to Salt River Project (SRP) and another 10 years to San Diego Gas & Electric.

Dan was dedicated to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. At church, he enjoyed teaching youth and being a leader in the Boy Scouts of America. Dan gave a lot of his time to helping others and mentoring fatherless children. He had a strong desire to stay civically engaged. Collecting cars, especially ones he found for a bargain at the auction, was a hobby of his. When not working on the cars he found, he enjoyed dancing, traveling and spending time with family.

As a loyal and loving father, grandfather, uncle and great uncle, Dan will be greatly missed. He is survived by his children, Walter “Tres” Daniel Franklin III (Melissa), Melinda Linnea Franklin, and Janńe Marie Gutierrez (Tom), his siblings Stan Franklin, Cort Franklin, Melody Schneider and April Jones, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and his many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister, Melinda Marie Franklin.

A memorial service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3920 E. Brown Road, Mesa, AZ 85205, on June 16, 2022, at 2:00PM. Family and friends are invited to remember and celebrate his life. Burial will follow at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park with family. Condolences can be left on Dignity at www.mariposagardensmemorial.com for the Franklin family.