JOHN VICTOR FRANKLIN

On Thursday, October 3, 2019 after a lengthy illness, the Patriarchal American Patriot, the enforcer, the foundation, the provider, the glue, the primary protector of the Franklin Clan, beloved John Victor Franklin was removed from our midst. John Victor Franklin, the first child of Robert Moore (deceased) and Hattie Strawder Franklin (deceased), was born on May 10, 1937 in Powersville, Peach County Georgia. In his early elementary school years, John was educated in the Public School systems of Georgia. His mother met and married the late Charles "Jake" Franklin and in 1945, the family matriculated from Georgia to Baltimore. At the tender age of 14, John, affectionately known as "Frank" or 'Sonny," dropped out of school to help support his family. Frank held numerous odd jobs, from shining shoes to collecting pins at the bowling alley and late received his GED in the US military. Frank entered the United States Army and served as a Memorial Activities Specialist from 1960 to 1962. During this period, he collected, identified, evacuated, buried and processed many of the deceased Vietnam heroes. He received numerous honors and awards, chiefly among them was the Good Conduct Medal Award. In 1963, after leaving the military, Frank accepted the position of General Cemetery Caretaker Foreman for Arlington National Cemetery where he was a valued employee for 37 years. During his employment, John planned and prepared for the presidential wreath laying ceremony, the royal visit by the Prince and Princess of Wales on Veterans Day and he maintained and kept the appearance of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Frank saw all the sitting presidents as well as many famous people from 1963 to 1997. He received numerous letters of appreciation and sustained superior awards during his tenure. In 1961, Sonny met and married the love of his life, an influential matriarch, the late Virginia Lee Artis Franklin. From this union five children were born: Roman, Mark, Troy, Stacy and Kelly, whom he loved, adored and fought for. After many years of his wife's continual prayers and teaching, John finally obeyed the gospel and was baptized at Central Church of Christ. Frank loved sports, especially boxing and football. As a young man he was a good boxer and had many stories to prove it. Frank was well-rounded and avid reader. He loved reading about the US military battles, so much that he was an aficionado on most of the wars and battles the United States participated n from WW2 to present day. He also liked gangster novels and movies, conspiracy, westerns and was big on politics. Frank was passionate about politics, including presidential candidates and party policies. He would name the senators and congressman from every state of the union as well as their political positions on a myriad of issues. He would watch hours of CNN and MSNBC religiously and argue with the commentators as if he was right there, waiting for the answer. John leaves to cherish his memories: three sons, Roman, Mark (Kim), and Troy Franklin (Tamlyn); two daughters, Stacy Curbean (Will) and Kelly Neal (Fred); one sister, Eloise Franklin; four brothers-in-law, Kevin LeMell Artis, Michael McQueen, Lang Elliott and Steven Artis; four sisters-in-law, Pearline Miller (David); Kadedra, Yolanda and Nicole Artis; one mother-in-law Joy Elliott Artis and twelve grandchildren, Shayla, Tiffany, Chikita, Bryan, Troy Jr., Roman Jr., Ebony, Xavier, Ajani, Cordell, Destiny, and Mariah; five great-grandchildren, Kenniese, Chnye, Riley, Braxton and Amani; one granddog, Ginger; one uncle, Butch Cooper; four nieces, Paula M. Artis, Gwendolyn D. Brown, Vonneeter Parker and Vernita Franklin; two nephews, Philip Young and Derrick Franklin; one great-niece, Camara Nesbit; one great-nephew, Barraze Johnson and a host of other relatives and friends.

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JOHN VICTOR FRANKLIN

May 10, 1937 - October 3, 2019