Obituary of Ottis Franklin

Ottis Franklin, 81, of DeRidder, LA passed away on Friday, November 12, 2010 at Beauregard Memorial Hospital after a brave battle with cancer. Mr. Franklin was born November 4, 1929 in DeRidder to Nancy "Nanny" Young and Henry Jackson Franklin. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and Army, serving both in Korea during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam during the 1960's. He received a Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and an Army Commendation Medal. After completing his military career he received a Masters in Theology in 1979 from Faith Bible College in Tyler, TX. Mr. Franklin moved back to DeRidder where he worked at KR Hanchey Elementary as a crossing guard for 10 years. He loved interacting with the children each day, and was known to dress as a clown or chicken occasionally. Also, he was the Former Post Commander and lifelong member of Chapter 20 DAV. Mr. Franklin is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy Franklin of DeRidder; sons, Richard Franklin and wife Elaine of Puyallup, WA, Russell Franklin of Port Orchard, WA, Rodger Franklin and wife Tammy of Pineville, LA; daughters, Kathy Foote and husband Tommy of DeRidder, Karen Collins and husband Pat of Huntsville, AL, Kris Hatfield and husband John of DeRidder; grandchildren, Eric Franklin and wife Stephanie, Jared Franklin and wife Jessica, Kyle Franklin, Eric J Nunez and wife Miche, Jason Franklin, Michael Cruz, Alissa Franklin, Ken Franklin and wife Tamara, Renee Wray and husband Matt, Kimberly Freeman and husband Stanley, Joseph Foote, Angela Foote, Lee Hatcher, Autum (Lexi) Foote, Jeremy Thomas and wife Desiree, Charity Jones, Kourtenay Bailey and husband Clifton, John Hatfield III, Amber Armstrong and husband David, Amy Hatfield, Joshua Jones, Daphanie Mahaffey and husband James , Kari Kittrell and husband James , Shanna Franklin, Justin Johnson,Clelsea Franklin, Brianna Franklin, Kali Franklin, Reese Franklin, Bayleigh Franklin and 28 great grandchildren. Mr. Franklin was predeceased by his twin brother Oddis in 2003 and 9 other siblings: Rudolph, Ruby, WJ, Fred, Charlie, Irene, Jesse, Roy, John Henry and his grandson Russell "Rusty" Franklin on March 3, 2006 Visitation will be at Hixson Funeral Home on November 16, 2010 from 2 – 9 pm. Mr. Franklin's service will be at 12:30 pm November 17, 2010 at Hixson Funeral Home with burial to follow at Beauregard Cemetery in DeRidder under the care of Hixson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society