Hollis (Phil) Philip Franklin

Phil was born on August 7, 1922 in Dolph, Oregon and was the son of Hollis and Naomi (Mefford) Franklin. He was raised in Walla Walla, Washington where he attended high school. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 and was stationed in the South Pacific during WWII. He received an honorable discharge on July 13, 1945 at the rank of Seaman First Class. Following his discharge, Phil attended Eastern Washington University where he completed his Bachelors and Masters Degrees and started classes towards his Doctorate.

On August 17, 1947, Phil married Marian Eicher at her parent’s homestead in Palouse, Washington. After graduating from Eastern, they moved to Sweet Home, Oregon where Phil was a Science Teacher. In the fall of 1955 they moved to Mapleton, Oregon where he became Principal of the elementary school. In 1959 they moved to Portland, Oregon where he became Principal for the Parkrose Elementary Schools. He retired in 1980 after many dedicated years as an educator. He moved to Newberg in 2007.

Phil had many hobbies including a great pride for his 1931 Model A, which he restored. He was a member of the Model A Club of America, the Rivergate Stompers and the Oregon Educator’s Association. He enjoyed woodworking, making cribbage boards, beadwork and fishing. On any given weekend, you would find Phil roaming the neighborhood garage sales. He was a talented carpenter and successfully built his first home in Mapleton and later his beloved beach house in Neskowin. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, Marian. They adventured on many trips to Mexico where he would give away pencils and polyester shirts to the local children. Phil was generous, dedicated to his family and the organizer of many family reunions. He desired to keep his family close and shared a love with them that helped to shape them into the people they are today. He was loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Phil is survived by his daughters; Holly Threet of Hillsboro, Ellen Franklin of Sherwood, and Lisa Kosmicki of Newberg, and their families. Also brothers Robert Franklin of Post Falls, Idaho and D.B. Franklin of Portland, along with 2 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Marian, and brothers, F.L.Franklin and Dean L. Franklin.

A celebration of Phil’s life will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 1:00 pm at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home in Gresham Oregon. Immediately following the service a reception will be hosted at the First Baptist Church,224 West Powell Boulevard Gresham, OR 97030, followed by a Social Gathering hosted at Phil's Newberg home beginning at 5:30 pm. Contributions may be made to NAMI of Washington County or Kaiser Hospice. Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.