Morris Dale Franklin

Funeral Services, including Masonic Ceremonies and Police Honors Ceremonies, will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at Dutton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jon Eckstein officiating. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery under the direction of Dutton Funeral Home Chapel.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 30, 2010 from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Dutton Funeral Home Chapel.

Dale was born June 16, 1935 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Morris Albert and Winnie Melba (Kromer) Franklin. He was married to Barbara Ann Vaught. He graduated from Wichita Falls High School and served in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was an Officer of the Wichita Falls Police Department retiring in 1991 after 31 years of employment. Dale was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Kemp Masonic Lodge, Fort Worth Scottish Rite, the Wichita Valley Scottish Rite and the Elks Lodge #1105. He was instrumental in establishing the Neighborhood Watch Program and conducted Sikes Center Safety City for many years while working in Crime Prevention and Training. He served the Wichita Falls and neighboring communities by conducting Drug Awareness and Women’s Safety Programs. He taught at the Wichita Falls Police Academy.

His parents and a sister, Helen Broyles, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Jeff (Ronda) Franklin; daughter, Traleesa (Nolan) Chumley-Kerry; step daughter, Sheri (Wayne) Murphy; step sons, Jay and Bert Wright; grandchildren, Shaundale Schaffner, Karra and Paige Chumley, Sam, Claire and Kate Franklin; Aaron, Jacey and Mason Wright; Dayne, Weston and Colton Murphy; 2 great granddaughters; sisters, Jody Spinks, Winnie Mason and Sue (James) Owens and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Robert David, John Cummings, Mike Little, Robbie Little, Mike Hall, Roy Lee Stone and Bill Baker.

Memorials are suggested to Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Weborn Street, Dallas, Texas 75219.

Condolences may be offered at www.duttonfuneralhome.com.