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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to |
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a close with the passing of John Wilbur Franklin of Galveston on |
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July 8, 2025; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Billy Franklin and Ethel Jones, John |
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Franklin was born in Galveston on May 13, 1944, and he grew up with |
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the companionship of a sister, Jean; he graduated from Central High |
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School in 1962; and |
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WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Franklin |
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served as a U.S. Merchant Marine, and he was a member of the |
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Seafarers International Union; he went on to work at local funeral |
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homes for a number of years, and in 1972, he became a deck hand for |
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the Texas Department of Transportation Galveston Ferry System; he |
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held that position for more than three decades before retiring in |
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2009; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Franklin and his wife, Mary, shared many happy |
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years together until her passing; he took great pride in his three |
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children, Rhonda, John, and the late Robert L. Johnson Jr., who |
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preceded his father in death, and he was a caring stepfather to his |
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wife's son, Anthony; over the years, he had the pleasure of |
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welcoming into his family 6 grandchildren, Ricky, Ashley, Edward, |
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Crystal, Bria, and Aliyah, as well as 25 great-grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, During his leisure hours, Mr. Franklin enjoyed |
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cooking, landscaping, gardening, and working on home improvement |
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projects, and he was known for helping others in his community with |
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scrapping and hauling; above all else, he treasured time spent with |
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family and friends; and |
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WHEREAS, Those fortunate enough to have known John Franklin |
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will remember the way he touched their lives with his warmth and |
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delightful sense of humor, and he will forever hold a cherished |
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place in their hearts; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory |
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of John Wilbur Franklin and extend sincere condolences to his loved |
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ones; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of John |
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Franklin. |