Claude E. Franklin, 78, of Sanford, FL passed away on Friday, April 13, 2012 at Central Florida Regional Hospital.
Born on January 5, 1934 in Southdown, KY, Claude enlisted for the Korean War in the US Air Force as a cook in 1950. In 1959, he married the love of his life and had three children. In 1975, Claude and the family moved to Florida and worked as a forklift operator at Cardinal Industries. In 1984, he became a Security Officer until 2010. For 3 years he ran his own Security Agency. He loved to fish, gardening, and spoiling the grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Claude was preceded in death by his parents; James Bradley Franklin and America Brown; step father, Bill Brown; brothers, Jimmy and Homer. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; two sons, Sheldon (Dell) Franklin of Pennsylvania and Keith (Tiana) Franklin of Florida, daughter, Sonya (Jim) Peters of Florida; sister, Odell Wall of Sanford; 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at Greenwood Cemetery, 1603 Greenwood Street, Orlando, FL 32801.
Please sign the guestbook below.
We will miss you more then you will ever know. There is an empty space in our hearts but we know you are in a better place.
John 14:1-4 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” R.I.P.Dad. We love you.
we will miss you pawpaw..we know you are in a better place now. we love you and will forever be in our hearts. RIP pawpaw
Pawpaw, I love you and i miss you dearly. You meant way more than the world to me ad there is nothing in this world i wouldnt do for you. I am very upset that i didnt get the chance too really say goodbye but hey, life is life and it does suck sometimes. I would give the whole world just too hear you tell me you love me one more time. I am and will always remain your “pefect” grandaughter. Your smile could brighten my day in a heart beat and i would do anything just too see that one more time. I know that your gone but you will always be in my heart and you will never be forgotten. I love you so much and I know that you will always know that. But there is always a positive side to this sad story, and the good part about it is that you are never really gone. You have now entered the gates of heaven where you will now remain in a better body without suffering forever. Spread your wings and watch over all of us. Keep us safe, and dont think your funny playing little games and tricks on us. Haha. Well I think I have said enough and its time for me to go. I love you and ill see you tomorrow for one last time. Keep me surrounded by your spirit and hold me forever. I LOVE YOU !!!!!!!! RIP Pawpaw, Gone but never forgotten ; Always loved.
uncle claude you will be well missed and loved
RIP Pawpaw, you will be missed!!
Pawpaw, we will miss you dearly. We know you are in a better place now, and never have to be sick again, but it will still be hard to know you are not with us anymore.
I am sure by now you have taken over watching all the kids and spoiling them, and they are all looking for the buddahrump in every hiding place possible, just like you started with me when I was just a 3 year old little girl. I will never ever forget the times we had together when I was a kid like when you would bring out the enclyopedia’s and pick a random topic for me to write a book report on, or when you made me memorize the U.S. Presidents in order (by the way I still can’t keep them straight but you tried your hardest). You made me a better kid and a better adult in the process. I do have to admitt though you were right, I did not marry a millionaire and I do not eat at McDonald’s every night, I probably should have listened when you were trying to teach me to cook! There are so many things that you taught me, but there are some I will never ever forget like you MUST ALWAYS wash dishes with HOT HOT water, and the harder you are on your kid (or grandkid) about learning the more you love them, and there are just certain words that young ladies should not say (or write on the chalkboard). You also taugh me that even if I did something that you did not like, you would still love me. I will never forget the speech I got about my first tattoo. I know that if God wanted random pictures or holes put in or on my body he would have put them there, but do me a favor and watch out for me when I get the next one in memory of you and everyone else I have lost. I know, I know you won’t like it, but you will still love me! I promise to pass everything (not just the things mentioned but EVERYTHING) that you taught me on to Nikki.
I am so sorry that I did not get to come and tell you good bye but really, I would rather remember the last time I was down there and you were laughing and joking with me, and telling me to smile. I will miss you so much, but I know you are up there looking out for us, and you will always be with me in my heart telling me to keep smiling.
RIP Pawpaw… you will never be forgotten!
Uncle Claude~We love and miss you..
Dear Uncle Claude, you will be missed. I know now that you, daddy, and Uncle Jimmy are looking down…guiding and protecting all of us (like you have always done). Know that you were and always will be loved. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.