Funeral services for Mr. James Thomas Franklin, age 82 of Manchester will be conducted at 3 pm, Tuesday, January 13 from the Manchester Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Brandon Stutts officiating.
Burial with military honors will follow at the Concord Cemetery.
Visitation with the Franklin family will be from 11 am Tuesday until funeral time at the funeral home. Mr. Franklin passed this life Sunday, January 11, 2015 at his home in Manchester surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Franklin was born in Overton County, Tennessee the son of the late William Hugh Franklin and Elizabeth Grace York Franklin.
He was a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War, serving sixteen years in the US Navy as a Chief Petty officer. Following his service in the Navy, Mr. Franklin served in the National Guard for three years. James was a Christian man, loved to walk, hike, watch birds and was a avid reader. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, and often taking them on hiking adventures.
In addition to his parents, James was also preceded in death by a grandson, Jagger, by four brothers, William, Harvey, Don, Jerry and Doyle Lee Franklin, and by a sister, Vonda Petgen. He is survived by:
His loving wife of 53 years, Janet Sue Franklin of Manchester
Two daughters- Kelly (Terry) Henley of Winchester
Tracy (Jason) Reed of Manchester
Three sons- Todd James (Cindy) Franklin of White Pigeon, Michigan
Greg Scott (Dorothy) Franklin of Manchester
William Hugh Franklin of Manchester
Grandchildren, Skyy, Noah, Jasper, Carolee, J.R., Luke, Misty, Jesse and Jeremiah
7 great grandchildren
THE FAMILY ASKS THAT MEMORIAL DONATIONS BE MADE IN MR. FRANKLINS MEMORY TO: The Monroe Carroll Childrens Hospital at Vanderbilt
MANCHESTER FUNERAL HOME IS HONORED TO SERVE THE FRANKLIN FAMILY