Franklin was a native of Baxley, GA where he attended Appling County High. His future wife, Cheryl, came to Baxley to stay with her sisters and that is how they met. In order to stay together they married but moved to Darien in 1961.
Franklin worked different occupations over the years at L&W Trucking/Georgia Pacific and the one that lead to his path, Water Craft. The owner, John Mauldin, built The Boat Place in Townsend and offered it to Franklin and Mr. John Dasher. Eventually Franklin would take ownership by himself. This was where he made his name as one of the best outboard mechanics. He worked there with his son and grandson. Later he partnered with one of his friends, Billy Butler, to build B&B Carwash. The last business he helped start was Darien Tire which he built with his daughter and son-in-law.
Franklin was a God-fearing man who loved spending time with his family, fishing and hunting, and most recent was the love of his garden.
His parents, Brice Clifton Beecher and Sallie Mae Craven Beecher, a son, Clifton Beecher and seven brothers, Pete, Fred, Tommy, Wilton, Randall, Ken and Johnny Beecher, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Cherryl Lamb Beecher of Darien; two daughters, Lisa Lynn Hatcher (Rusty) and Tammy Dixon (Alan), both of Darien; five grandchildren, Monty Hatcher (Sunny), Megan Hatcher, Jacob Beecher, Alan Keith Dixon (Brittany) and Kody Dixon (Taylor); eight great-grandchildren, Mikyah “Mikey” Pinkney, Cooper and Saylor Dixon, Clifton and Clayton Beecher and Christian, Caleb and Chloe Powell; a sister, Frances Johnson (Edwin) and Brother, Michael Beecher.
Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Thursday at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home with Jeffrey Johnson officiating. Pallbearers will be Jacob Beecher, Alan Keith Dixon, Cooper Dixon, Kody Dixon, Megan Hatcher, Monty Hatcher, Mikyah Pinkney, Caleb Powell and Christian Powell.
Interment will follow in Whispering Pines Cemetery in Darien.
