Ronald Franklin

Ronald was educated in the Indianapolis Public System at IPS #26 and Crispus Attucks High School.

Ronald was a 3rd Degree Prince Hall Freemason, volunteered as a Boy Scout Master with his sons, member of the Indianapolis VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), The American legion, and Buffalo Soldiers Association.

Не accepted Jesus Christ at an early age attending The Church of Christ.

After high school graduation, Ronald met and dated the love of his life, Doris E. Watkins. They dated for several years and married April 13, 1952, on an Easter Sunday. Their love continued for 72 years. Of this union they were blessed with five sons: Ronald Jr., Donald, Patrick, Randall, and Jerome.

As a true patriot and eager to serve, Ronald embellished his age, volunteered at the end of World War II to serve in the US Army, where he was assigned Ambulance Driver duties. Later, he was drafted and praiseworthily served in the (then segregated) 24th Infantry Regiment/25th Infantry Division ("Buffalo Soldiers"), and was wounded at Kuni-Ri, North Korea, during the counter- attack of over 1 million Chinese Regular Army soldiers and awarded the Purple Heart for Combat injuries and frostbite resulting in lifelong VA Disabilities. Ronald retired from the United States Postal Service in 1990. He often spoke about his happy times at Camp Gifu, Japan, and Schofield Barracks in Hawaii with the 24th Infantry Regiment.

Ronald loved fishing, camping, and hunting with his brother Thomas and sons, but most enjoyably, his love for listening to jazz and Reggae music, spending time with loved ones and talking about the Army, History, driving trucks, operating Heavy Equipment, and spending time watching truck related videos on YouTube.

Ronald was cherished for his loving, outgoing, and gregarious personality. We will all truly miss him.

Ronald entered into eternal peace and rest on the evening of May 24, 2024. His parents and siblings: Doris, Grace, Betty, Norma, Thomas Jr., Paul, Roger and son, Randall preceded him in death.

He leaves to cherish his life and memory, his wife of 72 years, Doris and four sons: Ronald (Deborah), Donald (Terri), Patrick (Cheryl), Jerome (Carla); brother, Gar; and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Ronald was a thoughtful husband, father, mentor, grandfather, great grandfather, role model, disabled Combat Veteran, and American Hero. Ronald's picture in a truck in Korea, on the way to combat, is forever chronicled on a US Army recruitment poster and on the cover of a book titled "Black Soldier White Army".

Ronald said in spite of racism, segregation, and especially the despicable treatment of Black soldiers during and after World War Il and Korea, the United States is still the greatest country on earth, and he would gladly take up arms to defend her.

While in Hospice, he conveyed that his fondest, most treasured memories were raising his sons when we lived on the near west side of Indianapolis and the Buffalo Soldiers reunions in Chattanooga. TN and Washington, DC.