J W Franklin

J.W. Franklin, Jr.

May 2, 1949-May 12, 2024

J.W. was born May 2, 1949, in Douglas, Arizona to J.W. Franklin and Lucy Margaret Smith. The youngest of three, J.W. grew up ranching and farming in McNeal and later in and around Douglas with his father and uncle. He received his G.E.D. in 1967. He pursued many careers, including working for El Paso Natural Gas. He married Anita Kay Willis in 1971. He and Anita shared many adventures, including raising their four boys. He rodeoed with all his sons, teaching them to rope and ride in addition to becoming skilled horsemen and ranchers.

His love of ranching led to working on a ranch in Colorado for a short spell. However, the family’s love for Arizona brought them back to Douglas, where J.W. continued to pursue his ranching lifestyle with a small ranch just outside of Douglas. He also worked for Radio Television (an electronics factory) in Douglas and helped his father run a septic tank truck company. God graced them again by allowing them to follow their ranching lifestyle to Carlsbad, New Mexico where J.W. ranched, worked in the feed lots with his sons, Jeff and Jon, and farmed pecans and alfalfa. He was blessed to have his father join him in this adventure, even though he said goodbye to him in Carlsbad. Due to health issues with his mother, the family moved back to Arizona and settled in Hereford. J.W. spent the remainder of his days in Hereford, continuing his work in roping and ranching and eventually teaching his grandchildren about horses and ranching.

J.W. was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Anne and Bobby, and his son Jeffery. He is survived by his wife, Anita, his sons Jon (Jessica, Justin, Jordon), Jay (Cynthia, Clay, Jamie) and Jared (Leslie, Brody, Trey).

The services will be Friday, May 17th at 2:00 PM at Country Estates Southern Baptist Church. Grave side services will be Saturday, May 18th at 9:00 AM at McNeal Cemetery.

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