Jerry Lynn Franklin of Lebanon, Tennessee, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 12, 2024, after a brief illness at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
He was preceded in death by his wife of forty-eight years, Thersa Ann (McClanahan) Franklin, parents Comer and Milbra (Anderson) Franklin, two brothers, Holland “Buddy” and Don Franklin, and two sisters, Jo Emily (Russell) Turner and Delores “Dot” (Newman) Crunk.
He is survived by two sons, Jon (Karen) Franklin, optometrist at Franklin Family Eye Care of Mount Juliet, and Jason (Lorie) Franklin, assistant principal at Wilson Central High School of Lebanon; four grandchildren, A.J. (Talor), Erin, Andrew (Eliza), and Baylor; sister-in-law, Georgia Franklin; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
The youngest of five children, Jerry was born on March 14, 1939, in Jacksboro, Tennessee, and grew up in Lebanon near Cumberland University. He was baptized and became a member of College Street (Hills) Church of Christ at a young age where he was a member until the present time.
Jerry Franklin was a faithful and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a devoted and resilient man, beautifully demonstrating the fruits of the spirit throughout his life. A 1957 graduate of Lebanon High School, he played in the 1956 Tobacco Bowl where he scored three touchdowns in his last high school game. He played tennis at Middle Tennessee State University and graduated with a B.S. degree in 1962. He served on active duty in the Army after graduating college. Jerry worked for the Tennessee State Department of Health for forty years. Governor Ned Ray McWherter honored him as an environmental hero in 1990, and he was recognized in 1991 as Environmentalist of the Year. He was inducted into the Tennessee Environmentalist Hall of Fame in 2012.
Jerry was a lifelong sports fan. He was the 1975 Wilson County Singles and Doubles Table Tennis Champion. He enjoyed watching his sons play sports at Lebanon High School and baseball at Cumberland University and his grandchildren play sports at Wilson County high schools and Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and Lee Universities.
A lifelong resident of Lebanon, he loved his community. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Visitation will be at Partlow Funeral Chapel on Monday, September 16, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Partlow Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, September 17, at 11 a.m., with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until funeral service. Bro. Kevin Owen will officiate. Interment will follow in the Gordonsville Cemetery.
Active pallbearers are A.J. Franklin, Andrew Franklin, Baylor Franklin, David Bingham, Doug Chadwell and Rob Demarzo. Honorary pallbearers are John Hunt, Steve Hunt, Kai Grissim and Charlie Harrison.
As an alternative to flowers, donations to the Cumberland University Baseball program may be sent to Cumberland University Baseball, 1 University Square, Lebanon, Tennessee 37087-3408.
Partlow Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements, (615) 444-7007. www.partlowchapel.com
For more obituaries visit https://wilsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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