Obituary of Leland Kendall Franklin

Leland’s Story

His journey began on May 7, 1947 in Wichita Kansas. He was a notable baseball pitcher in junior high and high school. His coach said, “They can’t hit what they can’t see.” Leland served in the U.S. Army from 1964 – 1967. He met his wife in 1965 and they married one year later. They were married 52 years and had one son, Brian.

Leland was a self-driven, independent businessman who spent the majority of his career in real estate as a home builder and appraiser. He later returned to college and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. He and Gwen moved back to Texas where he practiced law until retirement.

Leland served his community by volunteering with Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Texas and Oklahoma. Additionally, he worked with underprivileged students in the local school district.

He loved reading, photography, astronomy and history, particularly the Civil War.

He is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn Starcke Franklin, Hurst, TX;  son; Brian Franklin and his husband Ethan Brown, Richardson, TX; granddaughter; Sydney August Franklin; brother; John Dale Franklin, Jr and his wife Sondra Kaye, Grand Prairie, TX
He is preceded in death by his parents: John Dale Franklin and Joyce Marie McCulley and his sister, Loraine Franklin.