Wilson Franklin Obituary

Family-Placed Death Notice

WILSON PERSHING FRANKLIN Age 85, of Atlanta, GA died August 4, 2004 at Lenbrook Square under the care of Hospice Atlanta from Leukemia. Predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Anne Wilhoit Franklin, he is survived by two sons, Dick Franklin and Steve Franklin, both of Atlanta, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mr. Franklin graduated from Duluth High School in 1935 and Oglethorpe University in 1939 where he starred in football and baseball. He later was inducted into the Oglethorpe Sports Hall of Fame. He joined the Coca-Cola Company in the Fountain Sales Department in 1940-a bout with Osteomylitis in 1927 would prevent military service even though he attempted to enlist several times. During his career at Coke he served as Regional Manager in New York, Cleveland, Dallas, and Atlanta. He was elected a Vice President in 1970 and held that position until his retirement in 1980. Mr. Franklin was an avid golfer and a member of Cherokee Town and Country Club. He formerly was a member of Druid Hills Golf Club, the Dallas Athletic Club, and Oceanside Country Club of Ormond Beach, FL. Taught by his mother, Eunice Stevens Franklin, to give back to his community, Mr. Franklin and his wife founded the Wilson P and Anne W. Franklin Foundation for charitable giving purposes. Since its start the Franklin Foundation has awarded scholarships to nineteen students and made numerous grants for educational and medical purposes in addition to its support of St. James United Methodist Church, where Mr. Franklin was a member for over 40 years. One of his favorite projects was funding the renovation of the baseball field at Duluth High School which is now named Franklin Field in his honor. Earlier this year an endowed scholarship in his name was established with the Georgia State Golf Foundation. A memorial service will be held at St. James United Methodist Church on Monday, August 9, at 12:00 pm. The family will receive friends, also at St. James, from 11:00 until 12:00. For those who wish, please make contributions in Mr. Franklin's memory to St. James United Methodist Church, 4400 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30342. Arrangements by National Cremation Society.

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Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution from Aug. 5 to Aug. 7, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Wilson Franklin

6 Entries

Vicky Weiss

August 8, 2004

Dear Dick and Steve,

It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of your father. To me, he was a larger-than-life figure; he nearly had me convinced that he could beat any malady that came after him! Though I've been at Oglethorpe for twenty-seven years, I came to know your father well only in recent years. He taught me so much about what a life well spent really means, the difference that one person can make in the lives of others. Long after his voice was gone and his knees were failing him, there he was stewarding his scholarship, reviewing plans for the new student center at OU, sharing proudly with me the stories of the individual students whom his scholarship supported at Oglethorpe and elsewhere. He had an incredible enthusiasm for life, a determination to oversee projects important to him, and a powerful spirit of caring--all of which were positively inspiring! Even when his alma mater disappointed him, he never, ever gave up on us. Instead, he chose to remember what the school had done for him those many years ago. What a magnificent example he set for all of those alumni who came after him! I loved talking with him, being with him, learning from him, sharing with him. He taught me more than I can ever adequately express. I will never, ever forget him.

Vicky Weiss

Oglethorpe University

Mary Crosby

August 6, 2004

It is with deep sadness that the Alumni Office at Oglethorpe University learned of the passing of Wilson Franklin, Class of 1939. Mr. Franklin was a favorite, distinguished alumnus and will long be remembered by his alma mater. We are proud that he was inducted into the Athlethic Hall of Fame in 1998 for baseball and football. Further, Mr. Franklin generously provided Franklin Scholarships to many, many Oglethorpe students. His loyalty was also shown through his willingness to serve on the Alumni Board, his frequent trips to campus for events, and his enthusiastic interest in meeting his scholarship students.

Your friends at the university are thinking of you.

Barb Henry

August 6, 2004

To Dick and Steve Franklin- I am very sad to learn of the passing of your Father. I had the pleasure of working with him over several years as we selected the Duluth High School students that would receive partial scholarships to attend Oglethorpe University. Mr. Franklin always took such a personal interest in each student selected. I know that for many students, his special interest served as motivation as they worked hard in their studies at Oglethorpe.

After I left the Admission Office and joined the Alumni Relations staff, I continued visiting with Mr. Franklin attempting to keep him up-to-date with news of his classmates and activities at Oglethorpe.

He was a very special man and a dedicated Oglethorpe Alumnus. I will miss his stories and his humor. My deepest sympathy to you both. Barb Henry '85

Jane Bell

August 6, 2004

Dick and Steve,

I am so sorry of the loss of Uncle Wilson. I am praying that the Lord will just put his arms around you in this time of loss.

Jane and Steve Bell

Will Lester

August 6, 2004

Mr. Franklin was the father of one of my best friends in high school and now, Steve, and their home was a second home to me and a good number of our friends.

He welcomed all of us into his home after school and it was a center of our social life. He always asked how we were doing and seemed to welcome having many young people around.

He was a remarkably accomplished man and he and his wife were almost like another set of parents to many of us. I feel lucky to have known him.

Will Lester

HERB ARNOLD

August 5, 2004

Dear family of Wilson Franklin.

I had the distinct honor of working with Wilson when I joined Coca-Cola in 1975.His wise counsel helped me through my initiation into the Coke culture, and I trusted his judgement implicitly..He and Anne were beautiful people..My thoughts are with you all.

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