Obituary of Jerry Franklin

Jerry Rudolph Franklin passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2023 in Boone, NC after a short illness. He was born on April 17, 1937, to Samuel S. Franklin and Kathleen McKenzie in West Liberty, Kentucky. He attended Morgan County High School where he excelled in basketball, football and baseball. Upon graduation, he attended and graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in English, later receiving his Master's Degree in guidance and counseling from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. Jerry was a lifelong educator. He began his career as a middle school teacher and basketball coach. He moved on to teach high school English and became a high school guidance counselor before eventually becoming a professor at Morehead State University. He touched the lives of many as a teacher, counselor, and supervisor of student teachers. Jerry loved reading and spending time with his family. He was an avid fan of University of Kentucky basketball, the LA Dodgers, and Kentucky thoroughbred horse racing. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel S. Franklin and Kathleen McKenzie; beloved sisters, Gwendolyn Walter and Ruth Evelyn Haney. He is survived by his loving wife, Robin Conn Franklin of Boone, North Carolina; daughter, Allison (Don) Franklin McDowell of Georgetown, KY; sons, Rudy Franklin and Bo (Michelle) Franklin of Boone; grandson, Daniel Franklin McDowell (Kayla) of Florence, KY; granddaughters, Sarah Kathleen McDowell of Lexington, KY; Madison Layne Franklin of Boone; step granddaughters Kaelin and Leah Gaydon; great-grandson; Dawson Chase McDowell of Florence; nieces, Kathy (Sam) Ponsoll, of Danville, KY; Beverly (Gary) Macey of Morehead, KY; Kim (Ron) Lee of Lexington, KY; Kara (Scott) Landis of Brookville, OH; and nephew, Kyle (Melonie) Haney of Maineville, OH. He is also survived by his loving sister-in-law Stacy (Rob) Conn of Boone, NC; and special family friend, Wendy Gordon of Boone. His family paid this tribute to him. "Jerry always took care of his family and was a loving husband and father. He championed all the "underdogs" and was greatly respected for his grammatical knowledge." Celebration of life services & burial will take place at a later date.