Gary Wayne Franklin

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Gary Wayne Franklin, 68, was born to Earl B. and Mildred B. Spillman Franklin on Dec. 27, 1940, in rural Hume. Gary passed away on Oct. 2, 2009, at Meadowbrook Hospital, in Gardner, Kan., from complications due to lung cancer.

He attended Hume schools all 12 years graduating in 1958. Gary proudly served in the United States Army from Feb. 17, 1959, being honorably discharged on Nov. 30, 1964. His specialty title was cannoneer. Gary was a member of the American Legion Post No. 19. He went into the service station business with his brother Charles. Then Gary and family moved to Fort Scott where he went back into the service station business in Hume and opened Gary's auto service. His last employment was at Cooks Ham, Inc., to which he enjoyed commuting with his nephew Gene.

He joined the Hume Christian Church at an early age, was a member of 4-H, church youth group, Hume Saddle Club, and served on the Hume City Council. He was a member of the Hume Alumni only missing the reunion when he was in the military.

Gary enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding horses, bowling, supported youth bowling teams, spending time with his family, friends and his love of cars. In later yeas, Gary enjoyed the company of his dogs, who became his daily companions. Hew as a great believer in education, always encouraging his children and grandchildren to continue learning and never stop, and meet new challenges.

Gary leaves behind his wife and best friend Pat of 38 years, and their blended family; daughters, Tammy Locke and husband Kevin, Polly Plain, of Gardner, Kan., Candy Duarte and husband Manuel, of Spring Hill, Jenny Franklin, of Nashville, Tenn.; sons Lynne Plain and wife Kathy, of Fort Scott, and John Hubbard, of Russelville, Ark.; brothers, Charles and wife Jeannie, of Hume, and Keith, of Springfield; grandchildren, Deidre Plain Hof and husband Phillip, of Olathe, Kan., Jeffrey Plain and friend Courtney, of New Braufels, Texas, April and Logan Maxwell, of Nashville, Tenn., Levi Locke, of Manhattan, Shyan Locke, of Gardner, Ali, Nick, and Rachel Duarte, of Spring Hill, Ricky Duarte and wife Ashley, of Edgerton, Kan., Elizabeth Schiller, of Fort Riley, Kan., Alex Duarte, of Edgerton; adopted dogs, Princess and Abby; mother-in-law Anna Mae Carrel; sisters-in-law, Karen Carrel, of Harrisonville; Aunt Edna Winters, of Pleasanton, Kan.; numerous nephews, nieces and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister Earlene, 2 years old; brother-in-law Larence Carrel, and sister-in-law, Eva Franklin.

Even though we were not born his children, Gary loved us as we loved him, he was there when we needed him, patient and kind, he leaves a void in our hearts that can never be filled. He will be greatly missed as we love you Gary. Watch over us until we meet again.

Your family.

Services will be held at 10 a.m., today, at the Hume Christian Church, in Hume, Mo. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Monday, at the Coffel-Schneider Chapel, of Hume. Contributions are suggested to the grandkid's educational fund. Interment were in the Fort Scott National Cemetery. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.coffelschneider.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home, Hume.