Obituary of George B. Franklin, Jr ,resident of Richland Parish Louisiana as published in the Monroe News Star, August 15, 2006 Submitted by for the USGenWeb Archives by Dot Golliher, 08/15/2006 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** * George B. Franklin, Jr. George B. Franklin, Jr., 81, of Holly Ridge and Rayville, passed away Saturday, August 12, 2006. He was born in Vicksburg, MS, on March 13, 1925. He was proceeded in death by his beloved parents, George B. Franklin, Sr. and Birdie Scott Franklin. He is succeeded by his wife of 51 years, Bettie Jo Franklin; his sons George Bibb Franklin, III and wife Shawn, Fred Scott Franklin and wife Linda, and Roy Gill Franklin and wife Carole, all of Rayville; and four grandchildren, Fred Scott Franklin, Jr., Colton Gill Franklin, Caroline Elizabeth Franklin, and Joanna Claire Franklin. Mr. George, like his father before him, was absolutely true to himself and to all others. He had frankness and courage, and w as as candid as the light. He had nothing to conceal. Frank, candid, pure, serene, noble; these traits of character added to the greatness of one of Richland Parish's most devoted citizens. We have given back to God Who created him and his great heart, one of the bravest, sweetest souls who ever lived in human clay. Throughout northeast Louisiana and the whole state, friends and admirers were shocked by the death of Mr. Franklin. Mr. George was killed in a tragic accident last Saturday afternoon. With members of his family and a group of friends, Mr. Franklin was enjoying one of his favorite pastimes, the recreation and pleasures of outdoor activity at his hunting lodge in Ouachita Parish. Full of energy, as always, Franklin mounted a four-wheel vehicle to ride the levee. At the summit of the levee, his vehicle slid out of control and capsized on the driver. Friends rushed to the scene, but were unable to help. Examiners stated that death had been instant. This accident ended the life of an outstanding member of "The Greatest Generation," the descriptive phrase given by author Tom Brokaw to honor the qualities exhibited by the American generation that came to manhood and womanhood during America's Thirties and Forties. This is the group that had tasted the hopelessness and despair of the Great Depression, but had refused to give up hope. These were people who had refused also to surrender to the evils of mankind typified by the Third Reich and its allies. These were men and women who, instead, offered their skills, their courage, and their lives to the effort that brought peace to the world in 1945. For George B. Franklin, Jr., responsibility was a word that governed his actions throughout his life. Born in 1925, he graduated from Rayville High School directly into World War II. He was deeply patriotic and was ready to enter the Service. The Air Force was his aim. At age seventeen, weighing seventy-two pounds, he could not meet the Air Force requirement for entry which was one hundred pounds. We do not answer questions, but it seems that a cooperative sergeant finally tired of his pleas, and simply walked away while Franklin filled out his own entry form. He was accepted. To settle arguments about his size, he worked out a set reply, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!" In World War II, Mr. George served in the Eighth Air Force, European Theater. He completed thirty-five missions as a ball-turret gunner on a B-17 bomber. He earned the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded six Air Medals, four battle stars, and also received a presidential citation. His faithful acceptance of responsibility shows one of the qualities that typified the men that Tom Brokaw described as "The Greatest Generation."The importance of Brokaw's story, however, does not end with the military victory. Members of the Greatest Generation did not rest idly when they returned to civilian life. Instead they took up the needs of their nation, their communities, and their families work for improvements of their neighborhoods and their world. George B. Franklin, Jr. was an outstanding example of this generation, as he was also a dedicated worker in this era of recovery which was much needed following ten years of Depression and four years of war. The returned airman met first needs first, continuing his education with two years at Northeast Louisiana Junior College where he was elected student body president, and later completing his education with two years at L.S.U. He never stopped his efforts to improve his life and the well- being of his world by making wider and wider efforts to contribute to the compassionate and practical work that had to be done. To mold his life, he had before him inspiration from his father, George B. Franklin, Sr., who had given hope and leadership to promote the best within his own generation by setting an example of energy, generosity, and compassion throughout his very busy life. When George B. Franklin, Jr., returned to his beloved northeast Louisiana, he returned to the life centered on responsibilities to family and to service to others. The lumber business, which had been primary earlier in the century, had expanded in other directions. Young Franklin was absorbed by the many directions and opportunities of agriculture. He was also absorbed by the responsibilities of using land wisely. He stated that the landowner does not inherit land from his parents, but that, rather, he holds it in trust for his children. To that end he studied and practiced the principles of wise conservation, believing that the owner's responsibility must always be to improve the land itself. He has earned state and national recognition for wise use of the land. His awards have included the National Wetlands Conservation Award, The Mid-South High Cotton winner, and the Ag Expo Distinguished Service Award, among other citations for betterment of true conservation. Among his many pleasures were to pass on the principles of true conservation in practicing the rules of hunting and fishing to the next generations of north Louisiana children. He held life memberships in the VFW, Masons, and Ducks Unlimited. He was a founding director of Riverfield Academy, and received a lifetime service award. Mr. George considered himself a resident of both Rayville and Holly Ridge, and was a supporter of both communities. He and his wife were faithful members of the Rayville United Methodist Church, and were generous supporters of many valuable groups in the area. Mr. George and the family were especially grateful to the support of the State and Federal delegations for support in the establishment of a Veteran's Cemetery and Industrial Megasite in Northeastern Louisiana. Serving as pallbearers are Dr. Lester Wayne Johnson, Gary Freeland, Harry Cook, Walter Hillman, Connie Mott, Basil Doles, Jr., Phil Robertson, and Bobby Simpson. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. David Thompson, Dr. Warren Hunt, Burgess Cumpton, Sam Williams, Dr. Ed Cascio, Russell Rainbolt, Ed Jones, and Charles Spruell. Special friends of Mr. George's are Bill Lawton, G. P. McAllister, Ray Aycock, John Haygood, Annette Vondenstein, Tana Trichel, Kenny Cagle, Tommy Smith, Jimmy Toney, and members of the "Something More" Sunday School Class. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11:00AM at the Rayville United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Rayille United Methodist Church Special Fund.