Buddy L Franklin

On January the 28th, at approximately 5:30 PM Central time, Buddy Lee Franklin, 78, of Pace FL, made his transition to be with the Lord. Passing peacefully, he was in the presence of loved ones. Born in Elizabethton, TN, September 25, 1939, to Elmore Fred (Bud) Franklin and Maxine Jenkins Franklin. Buddy loved his Tennessee roots, but Florida was his home. After graduating from Pensacola High School in 1957, he attended PJC to further his education, and after many years of hard work and dedication to his field, his family, and his friends, Buddy would earn more respect than one could possibly imagine. He began a respected career in 1957 at Chemstrand Pensacola and moved to Westinghouse Corporation in 1967. In 1976, he took a position as Branch Manager for Pensacola Welding Supply, and 1991, he began serving AIRGAS as a Process Specialist AWS/CWI for all of the South Region. Above all of his achievements he certainly valued family and loved ones the most and he cherished the time with each of us dearly. Taking time to share in the experiences with those around him, he always took pride in the little things that meant so much.

His first wife, Jane Rollo Franklin, gave him three amazing children and despite being divorced, maintained a lifelong friendship that encompassed the entire family. Buddy remarried in 1993 and made a permanent difference in the lives of those he touched. Finding true love and grace he began a new journey with his wife, Sharon Lea Reno. Buddy & Sharon were the love of each other lives. Buddy spent the rest of his days celebrating that bond with his wife, his children and step-children, grandchildren, a beautiful and special great granddaughter, family, friends, neighbors, and associates. He never met a stranger and was known and loved everywhere he went.

His dedication of nearly 42 years to Airgas, and decades to the welding and associated industries are immeasurable. His impact, his efforts, and his position will likely never be matched or met, and he most certainly can never be replaced. A natural teacher at heart, he had a knack for finding simple ways to explain complex information, becoming regionally known as the “Go To” source for foolproof procedural instructions, accurate cost analysis, and reliable automation assistance.

Often seen behind his camera at events and gatherings, Buddy was quiet most times, but the unspoken affection, attention, and admiration came through in each and every photo he took. Photography was just one of his hobbies, but it captured a point of view special to the eye of the beholder.

Always an accomplished rider, motorcycles where a big part of his life. So whether gripping full throttle on a Triumph in a race in the 1960’s or packing the saddle compartments on his Yamaha Venture for a road trip with Bill, Bob, Curtis, Herman and the gang. Buddy always had a wild side when it came to those bikes. You could go to Daytona for BIKE WEEK or New York City and somebody from somewhere would yell that iconic, “HEYYYY BUDDY!!” He was loved, known, and admired everywhere he went.

He was the kind of man who observed far more than he reported and did not muddy up the facts with his own emotion, but would tend to listen to the issue at hand, weigh the logic and emotion equally, and respond with dignity, without reacting in the heat of the moment, as is honestly often the case with most us. Yes, we could all learn a lot from the silent lessons this man taught on a daily basis and should all feel blessed to have learned anything at all from someone who gave so much of himself to so many of us without us even knowing just how much our happiness and success meant to him. And for someone so poised and professional in all of these times, he could sure tell a joke like no other. Truly a teacher of delivery, it didn't matter if it was the punchline to one of those jokes, or the calm and insightful advice, it was always in impeccable timing and was no doubt a window into his soul, showing us that behind that often quiet exterior, the wheels were always turning and gravely important matters were always on his mind.

Mr. Buddy Lee Franklin is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Sharon Reno Franklin, his beautiful daughter Sherri Franklin, oldest son Wayne Franklin and his wife Sherry and his youngest son, his baby boy Fred Franklin, he was also survived by his beloved ‘stepchildren’ Bobby and his wife Angel, and Shannon Stewart and his wife Melissa and their children Silas and Nessa Stewart, his grandson David Franklin and fiancee Sierra their son Michael and their daughter the very beautiful and special great granddaughter Braylynn Franklin, as well as many more family and friends. We will all miss him so very much.

“The world has lost one of the best men to have ever set foot on it. Buddy was my stepfather, but he was soooo much more to me… You only get to see true greatness a handful of times in your life. Every time I was around him, I was privileged enough to witness what a GREAT MAN looks like and how a GREAT MAN is supposed to act when confronted with problems.” -Bobby Stewart

Visitation will be held from 12PM to 2PM on Friday February 2, 2018, at Bayview Funeral Home and Cemetery, located at 3351 Scenic Hwy, Pensacola FL 32503. Burial services will be immediately following the viewing. This will be an open viewing with light refreshments and those attending are encouraged to bring their memories, stories, and smiles to celebrate the life and legacy of a True Hero in the hearts of so many.

A special thanks and recognition goes out to the nurses, doctors, and all of the devoted and caring staff at West Florida Hospital. We simply cannot thank you all enough for the depth and involvement of the care and treatment that you have provided. From pin pricks to prayers, you have been a facility like no other, and for that we say thank you.

Pallbearers: Wayne Franklin, Fred Franklin, Bobby Stewart, Shannon Stewart, David Franklin, and Silas Stewart

Honorary Pallbearers: Jimmy Arnold, Curtis Beck, Bill Traweek, Bob Seitz, Herman Tatum, Mike and Jerry Wayne Jenkins, Dick Fair, and all of his AIRGAS family.