Leonard Gene Franklin was born August 20, 1934 at home in Peoria, Arizona. His dad was a foreman on a grapefruit ranch. He was the baby of his family (and he loved it!) His oldest sister, Irene Montoya Moore, was his half-sister, later Margaret Douglas and Bill "Sonny" Franklin were added to the family. Leonard graduated from Wickenburg High School in Wickenburg, Arizona in 1952. His friends gave him a nickname of "Sammy of Sambo". He played football in high school, and he played a lot of "hooky" too! He was named best physique in the yearbook. Yes, he was handsome and popular! Right after high school he married a high school sweetheart, Janet Gilbert. They later became the parents of sweet little Gwendolyn. Len went into the Military in the United States Air Force. He was given his choice of whatever he wanted to learn and he chose to be a radar specialist. He served part of his time in Korea. He said it rained there constantly and he was always cold. During this time he and his wife divorced. He met and married Gayle Minor on January 11, 1963 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Len was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shortly after he and Gayle were married. They were later sealed in the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple. Gayle had two sons from a previous marriage and they had five children together. Their children are: Gwendolyn Norton, Keith (Marty) Franklin, Peter Franklin, Robin Muller, Leonard (Mike) Franklin, Suzanne Sever-Jenkins, Mary Fullmer and Steven Franklin. EIGHT IS ENOUGH!! He is the father of eight, the grandfather of 28 and a great-grandfather of 29!! Leonard's career took him all over the United States from New York to California. He worked for a number of different companies: Arizona Public Service, General Electric, Pittsburgh Plate Glass, Honeywell, and Shell Oil from where he retired at age 65. During his later working years, he had a strong desire to further his education. He loved to learn so he took night school and earned his Masters Degree and then his PHD degree. He was very proud of his hard work! Over the past few years he has had a number of health problems that kept him from being very active. He used this time to read more in his scriptures, watch lectures on the BYU channel and participate in the scripture discussions made available by the Church on TV. Leonard loved Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ. He was so happy to serve wherever he was called. He had so many friends that he loved and that loved him. He served a mission along with Gayle to the Utica New York Mission. He told the Lord, "I'll go on a mission, but don't send me where it's cold, or to work in an office!!" Well, he went where it was REALLY cold, and he was in the office. HE LOVED IT!!! We don't always understand what is best for us, do we? He was proud of those in the family who have served missions: his children: Marty to Frankfurt, Germany, "Mike" to Hartford Connecticut, Steve to Brazil and Gwendolyn and Robert to Guam, grandsons: Joshua to Florida, JT to South Africa, Bob to England, Brian to Argentina, Jerry to Argentina, Scott to Chicago, IL, Doug to Arizona and currently serving Dallin in England and great-grandson Jacob in Africa. Len loved everyone. When he was ordained to the office of High Priest he was told in the blessing given by Elder Robert L. Simpson that he was a man without guile. That is so true. He loved his family and was kind beyond words. He had a cute sense of humor, for example, he told his Doctors (and others) how he had to cancel his kickboxing class to keep his doctor's appointments. He loved watching sports with Mike and Deb and their boys. He was slow to anger and quick to love. He was truly excited and looking forward to the great experience of going back through the veil to be greeted by the Savior and family members who had gone before him. He was not afraid of death. That's a good sign of a righteous man! He will be missed so very much by each of us in this growing family. He has been our example, our friend, my sweetheart, and we will be together again. This I know! In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Leonard's honor to the General Missionary Fund, 50 E. North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150.
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