George Wilson Franklin

A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Callahan-Edfast Mortuary Chapel.

Mr. Franklin was a bookkeeper.

He is survived by his wife, Juanita; four sons, Bill of Boise, Idaho, George W. Jr. of Denver, Chris Cummings of Cedaredge, and Fred of Grand Junction; two daughters, Kathy Franklin of Cedaredge and Cathy Coleman of Grand Junction; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, 5705 Grant Creek Road, Missoula, MT 59808, or to Mesa County Public Libraries, P.O. Box 3668, Grand Junction 81502.

George Wilson Franklin

February 18, 1918 - April 12, 2015

George W. Franklin, the son of a western Colorado pioneer family, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on April 12, 2015, at St. Mary's Hospital.

He was born in DeBeque, CO on February 18, 1918, to Floyd C. and Gladys M. (Huntley) Franklin. He was raised nearby in the Carr Creek area on a ranch which was a portion of a homestead established by his grandfather in 1887. While growing up, he not only worked on his father's ranch but also helped his grandfather, other family members, and neighbors with haying and other ranch activities. Up to the day he passed away, this ranch was always home to him.

Always an active student at DeBeque High School, he graduated valedictorian in 1936, earning a scholarship and attending Western State College. After leaving school he settled in California where he worked in airplane manufacturing. He was there when the US entered World War II and he enlisted in the US Merchant Marine Corp. He served from 1944 to 1945 on the Liberty ships in both oceans and was heading for the Atoll Islands when peace was declared. At the conclusion of the war he lived with his mother and worked at various jobs in Glenwood Springs, CO until he met and married Olive Emily Weir. Four children were born during their union.

The family moved to Grand Junction in 1955. They were later divorced. He worked at several businesses as a bookkeeper. He was an active member of the Optimist Club, the Civil Air Patrol, and the Grand Junction Bowling Association.

He married Juanita Cummings on December 31, 1976, which brought another three children into his life. Upon his retirement from Standard Tire at the age of 79, he and Juanita settled in Cedaredge, CO for 12 years until returning to Grand Junction in 2012.

He enjoyed reading, bowling gardening, hiking, fishing, and hunting but the joy of his life was his family. His grandchildren, and great-grandchildren lost their biggest fan at his passing. He was at many of their sport events, plays, graduations, and marriages.

He is survived by his wife, Juanita; sons, William A., Sr. (Roxanne) Franklin; George W., Jr. (Kelli) Franklin; Chris (Tammy) Cummings, and Fred Cummings; daughters, Kathy (Barb) Franklin; Cathy (Tim) Coleman; 11 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bernard; sisters, Myrtle, and Mary Edith; daughter, Mary Cecilia, and granddaughter, Cally.

Services will be April 25, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Callahan-Edfast Morutary. Interment will be at Veteran's Memorial Cemetery at a later date.