Lloyd George Franklin

Lloyd George Franklin, 95, passed away on October 21, 2012. He was born August 31, 1917, on a farm near Red Rock, OK. He was named after David Lloyd George, the prime minister of England during WWI. Lloyd graduated from Enid High School in Enid, OK, in 1935 and attended additional post graduate courses in journalism before enrolling in Phillips University where he studied journalism and wrote a byline sports column for the University’s Haymaker paper. He was a lifelong member of Central Christian Church in Enid. Starting at age twelve, during the Depression and into the Dust Bowl years, Lloyd delivered newspapers on his bicycle for the Enid News & Eagle. He covered his nose and mouth with a bandana to keep the dirt out, at 5 am and 5 pm each day, attending school in between. Lloyd gave money to his mother every week from his paper route for groceries. During World War II he worked in the design group at George E. Failing Company designing drilling rig equipment, including one that was designed to fit inside a B-29 super fortress. He began private practice as an architectural designer following the war when he developed many stock plans for homes that he sold to local building contractors. From these plans literally hundreds of homes were built in Enid during the post-World War II period. He also designed some of the most outstanding custom homes in Enid’s upscale Nielson addition as well. Lloyd operated an auto speed shop in Enid during the 1950’s and 60’s known as Franklin Supply Co. and also owned and operated Max & Rex Restaurant until it closed in the 1970’s. Prior to his retirement he worked as a traveling sales representative selling bumpers and glass for Franklin Motor Company of Enid. During retirement Lloyd was active in the Enid Garden Club and built many bird houses for the bluebird rescue initiative. He married his first wife, Pearl Florence Richards in 1940. They had two children, Jay and Jerry. He then married the former Eileen Simpson and they had two children, Tammy and Terry. Later, in 1972 he married the former Eva Foley and helped raise her four children before her death in 1995. During his younger years he was an avid baseball and softball player, having tried out twice for the St. Louis Cardinals. He loved playing shortstop. He sponsored, played on and coached an industrial league championship softball team in the 1950’s known as the “Blueprinters”. He also had a love of automobiles, especially the 1953 Studebaker Starliner coupe. He also owned a 1941 Lincoln Continental, 1937 Cord convertible and a 1963 Corvette split window coupe among many others. He leaves behind four loving children and their families; Jay Franklin (Carol) of Cumming, GA, Jerry Franklin (Carolyn) of Charles Town, WV, Tammy Franklin Lemke (Steve) of Norman, OK, and Terry Franklin of Canon City, CO; 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Leon and Elizabeth Grace (Young) Franklin and brothers Walter and Jesse Jr. and grandson Brian. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 3:00PM, in Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials may be made to Central Christian Church Sooner Sunday School Class. Condolences may be made online at www.andersonburris.com. The family appreciates the loving care Lloyd received at The Arbors Assisted Living in Enid, and Grace Living Center in Norman, Oklahoma.

Lloyd George Franklin

August 31, 1917 - October 21, 2012