Johnny E. Franklin, 71, of Mount Calm, died at a Waco hospital on Friday, May 9, 2008. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at Mexia City Cemetery with Cameron Simmons officiating.

He was born September 16, 1936, in Paris, Texas, the son of Christine Lee Franklin and Fred Franklin. After attending elementary school at Forest Glade, he graduated from Mexia High School in 1955 and attended Texas A&M, where he was a member of the famed Aggie marching band. One of his most memorable experiences with the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band was the 1956 train trip to Los Angeles to participate in the A&M-UCLA football game.

He graduated from East Texas State University, now Texas A&M-Commerce, with a degree in business administration. While there he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He served in the United States Air Force, stationed in Phoenix, Arizona, and returned to Texas to take a position with the Mercantile National Bank at Dallas.

After several years in the banking business, he moved to Mount Calm where he engaged in the cattle business. Following his retirement, he enjoyed traveling, visiting all the continents and nearly every state.

He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Ann Dillard, in Mexia in 1961. They became the parents of two daughters.

Johnny served on the Board of Directors of the First State Bank of Mount Calm, as well as on the board of Birome Water Supply Corporation for several terms, which included serving as president of that organization.

He was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Kathleen Franklin of Mount Calm, and Elizabeth Simmons and her husband Cameron of League City; two grandsons, Jacob and Benjamin Simmons of League City; his mother, Christine Franklin of Mexia; and a brother-in-law, Hughes Dillard of Mexia.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Please visit www.blair-stubbs.com to sign the guest book or to leave a memorial message.