Michael Franklin

Michael B. (Mike) Franklin, 77, of Dallas, passed away on Friday, September 15, 2017 at Irving - Baylor Scott & White Hospital after a long illness. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in DeRidder, Louisiana, the Reverend Lamar Oliver officiating. A reception hosted by friends, Sandra Wertz, Brenda Bishop Jonas, Judy and Stuart Kay, Pam and Scott Nichols, and Freddie Hyde will be held at the church following the services. The family will scatter his ashes in a private service following the reception. Mike was born on July 14, 1940 in DeRidder to Dr. Nicholas Dale Franklin and Eda Ray (Brooks) Franklin. He was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of DeRidder. Mike graduated from DeRidder High School and attended Centenary University in Shreveport, Louisiana where he sang in the Centenary choir which toured worldwide. He received his Bachelor's Degree from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. While attending McNeese, Mike served as choir director at Wesley Methodist Church in DeRidder. After graduation, Mike moved to Houston and became an assistant principal in the Aldine Independent School District and also obtained his Master's Degree at the University of Houston. Subsequently, Mike accepted management positions with Foley's Department Store in Houston and Sanger-Harris Department Store in Dallas. Following Mike's work in retail management, he accepted a teaching position in the Business Department of Richland College in Dallas. In retirement, one of Mike's hobbies was writing articles frequently published by the Dallas Morning News. Mike and his partner, Herb Horn, owned and managed commercial and residential properties in Houston and Dallas. Mike was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his long-time partner, Herb Horn and adorable dogs, Tooter and Terry. Other survivors include his brother, Dale Franklin and wife, Barbara and niece, Nicole, all of Los Angeles, California; niece, Melissa Beall and husband, Tim; great nephew Brooks; great niece Caroline of McLean, Virginia; niece, Amanda Divine and husband, Eric of Sacramento, California; sister-in-law, Marilyn McGraw of Alexandria, Louisiana and numerous friends. The family requests that memorials or donations in Mike's memory be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York NY 10163 (www.nationalmssociety.org/donate), the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231 (www.donatenow.heart.org) or the charity of your choice. Please sign the Memorial Guestbook for Mike at wadefamilyfuneralhome.com or www.wadefuneralhome.net. Arrangements by Wade Family Funeral Home, Arlington, Texas. Wade Family Funeral Home 817-274-9233