Judson Bolling Franklin

Judson Bolling Franklin, 78, of Greensboro, North Carolina, died December 10, 2022 from multiple myeloma. He was born on June 7, 1944 in Richmond, Virginia, and was predeceased by his parents, Cabell C. Franklin and Elise T. Franklin. He is survived by his wife, Carol Andrews Franklin, daughter, Susannah F. Winstead, grandson, Andrew S. Winstead, brother, Alex Franklin and Ann Starcher of Charleston, West Virginia, nephew, Cabell Franklin of Pflugerville, Texas, and niece Merriweather Franklin of Lewisburg, West Virginia, his brother-in-law John Andrews and wife JoAnn, and nephews William Andrews, wife Leah and family and Jason Andrews and his sister-in-law Sallie Bo Andrews.

Jud attended public schools in Greensboro. He was an All-State basketball player and captain of the team at Page High School. He attended the University of North Carolina, pledged SAE, played freshman ball under Dean Smith, had a wonderful time, and subsequently graduated from Guilford College. Upon graduation, he joined First National Bank of Atlanta for a year.

He then followed his interests and earned a MA and PhD in English literature from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He had a lifelong passion for reading and learning.

His professional career would be in banking. He enjoyed a successful and satisfying career for over thirty-five years with Home Federal S&L, NCNB, which became Bank of America, and Wachovia later Wells-Fargo. While at NCNB he was in the forefront of the development and promotion of what became known in the industry as Private Banking, and his primary focus became the medical community, where he developed many lasting friendships with his clients.

Jud had a rewarding life in that he was able to pursue many of his interests. In addition to his athletic talent, he manifested musical talent early in life, and sang on public radio as a four-year old in Richmond. Later he took up the guitar and formed a folk music trio in the 60s with two students from Greensboro College. “The Landsmen” made an LP. Over the years he continued to perform with many players and groups. He had a special duo with Chris Murrell, and ultimately became a free-lance jazz player active locally over many years. Many lasting friendships were formed over the years with many musicians, as well as special fans at Milners. Since he was self-taught, upon his retirement from the bank in 2008, he immediately spent a year in the Jazz Department of the Music School at UNCG to further his education.

Pursuing other interests in retirement, he and Carol travelled extensively, primarily in Europe. There, they enjoyed many classical music concerts and ballets in the world’s greatest venues. Jud also developed an interest in Gothic Cathedrals, maintaining they were the greatest artistic expression of Western Culture. He and Carol visited many of them over the years. They also enjoyed many happy vacations at the family beach house at Oak Island, NC.

Without a doubt by far the greatest thing in Jud’s life was his marriage to Carol. Nothing was more exhilarating than walking down European boulevards together, in anticipation of new adventures. Jud was always most happy to be in the company of his family, and doted on his grandson, Andrew.

Jud was a board member of the Greensboro Symphony and the Friends of the Library at UNCG. He also served on the advisory board of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill. He was a member of The Greensboro Country Club, The Twenty One Club, The Society of The Cincinnati, The Jamestown Society, and several other hereditary associations. He was a member of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of Gate City Kiwanis. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church.

Throughout the past several years Jud was truly blessed by a group of friends who expressed more than friendship and were continually there for conversations and support. They will be fondly remembered for giving of themselves without reservation. This sort of friendship is truly among the greatest thing many of us have.

Sincere and very special thanks go to Dr. Brad Sherrill, his nursing staff and the infusion staff at Cone Cancer Center for their unflagging care. Also special thanks go to Dr. Samuel Rubinstein at UNC-CH Cancer Center for his attentive and compassionate care, and Dr. Ryan Sanford of Freisius Dialysis Center and his staff.

A service will be held on Saturday, December 17 and 2:00pm at First Presbyterian Church. The family will receive at the home following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jazz Department at The UNCG College of Visual and Performing Arts, Attn: UNCG Jazz, PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402 and to UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC Health Foundation, Attn: UNC Lineberger, PO Box 1050, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com