Kenneth Ray Franklin

FORT WORTH-Kenneth Ray Franklin moved to heaven on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at the age of 78 years.
Celebration of Life: 2 p.m. Friday, January 31, 2020 at Brown Owens & Brumley’s Joe B. Brown Memorial Chapel. Visitation: 1 p.m. Friday before the funeral service.
Interment: Kenneth will be laid to rest in Mount Olivet Cemetery, 2301 N. Sylvania Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76111
Kenneth was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on Tuesday, August 19, 1941 to Noel and Susie Franklin. He was raised in Haughton, Louisiana, visiting family in Fort Worth, Texas often. He eventually made Fort Worth his permanent residence in the 1960s. Ridglea North was his home for over 50 years.
God, family, baking, photography, big sound and music, catfish, and watermelon were some of Kenneth’s treasures. First and foremost, Kenneth led a God fearing and God loving life. His daily life was a testimony of God’s mercy, patience, and love. He accepted everyone as they were without judgment and with open arms, just as our Heavenly Father does. Without a doubt, he was exceedingly patient. Whether waiting on his wife shopping, talking, or looking for her purse, or providing a place to stay for loved ones and friends, Kenneth welcomed it all. Love was evident in every aspect of his life. The poster-child for family man was Kenneth. He worked hard to provide everything his wife and children needed and wanted. Each of his grandchildren held a very special place in his heart. He was head over heels in love with them and so very proud of them all. When his mother was in failing health, he lovingly cared for her. He adored and spoiled his family unconditionally. Kenneth excelled at baking. Everyone had a favorite dessert of his they would look forward to at holidays, birthdays, or just because. He enjoyed buying and using all kinds of cooking and baking gadgets and refused to ever get rid of any of them. There are boxes and boxes of pictures and home movies that Kenneth took over the years. Every moment of special and even just ordinary events have been forever captured thanks to his love of photography. Kenneth appreciated quality big sound speakers. The bigger the boom the better. He played the accordian, piano, and organ and could harmonize quite well with Regina singing lead, just not in front of a crowd. Kenneth could make all-you-can-eat catfish restaurants wish they weren’t all-you-can-eat. Watermelon was life. It could easily be breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and even birthday cake. Last, but certainly not least, his adoration for Regina was one of a fairy tale love story. Married on March 26, 1969 he was her king and she was absolutely his queen for over 50 years. Their love gives hope to all that true love does exist as long as God is put first. Truly, their marriage was one that exemplified God’s word in I Corinthians 13:4-8 that “love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” This was their love story.
Kenneth graduated from Haughton High School in Haughton, Louisiana in 1959. He attended Louisiana Tech before entering the workforce. Mitchell’s Department Store was his work home for over twenty years. As a store manager, he led grand openings for stores throughout the metroplex, hosted several Miss Texas visits, and increased clientele by providing superior customer service. Throughout the years, Kenneth also sold shoes, worked at the Fort Worth Police Department, General Dynamics, Dollar General, Sprint PCS, and Victoria’s Sterling Silver.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Noel Lester Franklin and Susie Martha Welch Franklin; his siblings, LeJean Munn, LaDonna Franklin, Lester B. Franklin, Leadis Tennison, Leila Dew, and; his in-laws Jesse Walker, Imogene Simmons Walker, and Jack Miller.
Survivors: He is survived by his wife, Regina Walker Franklin; children, Brian Franklin, Chad Franklin and wife Natasha, Lolly Garcia and husband Ruben; grandchildren Madelyn, Gavin, and Luke Franklin, Ruben Jr., Daniel and Granddaughter Garcia due in June 2020; siblings Paul Franklin and LaJuan Johnson; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Brown Owens & Brumley Family Funeral Home
425 S. Henderson St.
(817) 335-4557