Obituary: James Franklin, Jr. - Class of 1969

MADISON - James Franklin Jr. [age 63], also known as "Jun" passed away on Feb 11, 2013 at the Hyland Park of Sun Prairie Assisted Living facility after a very long illness.

He was born on Oct. 24, 1949, in Birmingham, Ala., the fifth of eight children born to James and Clara Franklin who came to Madison, in 1951. James Jr. attended Franklin Elementary School and was a [1969] graduate of Central High School where he excelled in track. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army where he was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant and served his country for 13 years.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Franklin Sr.; grandparents, Joseph Franklin, Eddie Jackson, Callie Jackson, Yancy Hill, Ollie Williams, Mary Lou Williams, the first born Franklin baby brother, Robert Franklin, and a younger sister, Callie Franklin-McIntyre. He leaves to mourn his passing his mother, Clara Mae Hill-Franklin of Madison; two sisters, Rosemary Franklin-Smith of Philadelphia, Pa., and Linda Franklin of Madison; three brothers, Joseph Franklin of Oshkosh, Larry (Doris) Franklin of Everett, Wash., and Jerome Franklin of Madison; Jun’s one and only son, Michael Franklin of Clarksville, Tenn.; and a host of grandchildren nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and acquaintances.

A memorial service will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, at MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 2019 Fisher St., Madison, WI 53713 from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m. Cress Funeral & Cremation Services 3325 E. Washington Ave.

 Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 24, 2012. Submitted by Janet Stevens (Class of 1965) and Michale Vahldiek (Class of 1968).