James Leslie Franklin

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Bess Franklin, his sister, Dorothy, brothers Bob, Jack, Chuck, Sam and Dick Franklin.

Jim is survived by his wife, Donna G Franklin, children, Mike Franklin, Leslie Rankin, Pamela McDonald, Rick Rawls, brother John Paul Franklin and wife Marshia, 11 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was born in Elk City, Oklahoma, on September 28, 1932 and was number 6 of 8 siblings. He grew up in the Heights, graduated from Reagan High School in 1950, served in the Korean War, and attended Sam Houston State University. After graduation from Sam Houston, he worked for the IRS and attended the University of Houston Law School, graduating in 1967. Jim went to work for T. B. Trotter Company in 1965 while attending Law School, and then completed the work necessary to being certified as a CPA. During those years he also officiated High School Football.

In 1971, Jim and Carroll Sylvester established Franklin, Sylvester and Company, CPA Firm. They later merged with KPMG where Jim retired as a Tax Partner. He then set up his law office specializing in Estate Planning and Probate.

Jim played football in High School, the Army and at Sam Houston University. He was very supportive of Sam Houston University and very active in the Alumni Association where he was President for 2 years. He was awarded the Sam Houston State Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1982.

Jim’s favorite past times were deer hunting, (and eventually just the campfire “BS”, no cleaning necessary) duck hunting and dove hunting. Scuba diving was a favorite as well as traveling around the world to as many places as possible. Jim and Donna scuba dived to 100 feet on the North Wall in Grand Caymans, rode a hot air balloon over Stockholm, Sweden, walked on the Great Wall of China and got robbed in Spain.

In his last years, Jim has been remembered by a lot of people as the guy that loved everyone, including all the people he saw at Wal-Mart or the grocery store. Jim will be greatly missed more than words can say.

Services for Jim will be held at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home and Cemetery, 18000 I-45 South, The Woodlands, TX 77384. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 17, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. followed by internment.