Eldon Douglas Franklin of Ladonia, Texas was born March 7, 1944 to Willard Eldon and Lora Aline Eudy Franklin in Greenville, Hunt County, Texas. He passed away January 9, 2021 at Hunt Regional Medical Center in Greenville from COVID-19.
Doug graduated from Fannindel High School in 1962, then studied physics and chemistry at East Texas State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. He later earned his Master of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Texas A & M – Commerce.
He married Peggy Sue Owens August 27, 1965, and they raised two sons: Scott and Shaun. Doug was a devoted husband and loyal and faithful man who tirelessly served his community. He was the mayor of Ladonia in the early 1970’s. He was a member of the Fannindel School Board for many years and a past board president. He was also a co-owner and director of Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Ladonia. He was very active with the Chamber of Commerce, and was also the unofficial historian of Ladonia. He wrote a weekly column for the local newspaper for many years. He had an unmatched knowledge of the history of the area and the local schools, the old timers and the newcomers, the historical houses and who lived where, and the businesses that have come and gone. He loved Ladonia and was constantly seeking opportunities for the community to grow and thrive, now and into the future. For the last several years, his biggest project was helping to bring Lake Ralph Hall to Fannin County. Doug and mayor Leon Hurse spent countless hours promoting the lake project, and when it finally got underway, he spent several years working for the Upper Trinity Regional Water District arranging the land purchase contracts with landowners for the lake location. He retired from the Lake Ralph Hall project in 2019 but remained excited about seeing the lake become a reality.
Doug was a lifelong member and lay leader of the First United Methodist Church. When the original church building flooded and the congregation had to make the difficult decision to tear it down and rebuild, Doug was instrumental in supervising the removal and preservation of as many elements as possible of the historical building, which were then installed in the new building, most importantly the beautiful stained glass windows.
Doug spent the majority of his working career as a director of environmental quality at E-Systems in Greenville. He was also the founder and owner of Northeast Texas Wastewater Laboratories, which tested and verified that treated wastewater was safe to release back into the water supply. He taught science at Ennis High School and industrial technology at TAMU-Commerce. After his first retirement, he earned his real estate license and worked at Century 21. He also became a Texas Master Naturalist. He spent many hours working on projects and events to promote the natural resources and natural areas in northeast Texas, and each year helped organize the annual Fossil Day event held in and near Ladonia.
Doug is survived by his wife Peggy of Ladonia; son Scott and wife Cynthia of Pecan Gap; son Shaun and wife Michelle of Greenville, Texas; and sister Janice and husband Kelly Connell of Pecan Gap. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren: Tyler, Katie, Christopher, Brendan, Lyndsey, Payton, Jace, Brinkley, Luke, and Andrea and two great-granddaughters, Kambrie and Fallon, as well as nephews Jeromy, Michael and Billy and nieces Kacey and Shelley. He was preceded in death by his parents and niece Elisa.
The funeral service will be conducted by Jeromy Connell at 1:30 pm on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at the Fannindel High School football field on Mill Street. If weather is an issue, the service will be moved into the gymnasium. The family is requiring that masks be worn and that attendees practice social distancing. There will be a private interment at Center Point Cemetery in Ladonia.
Pallbearers will be Philip Burnett, Ed Pickard, Mike Duplechan, Cole Hoskison, Kerry Crews, Kris Crews, Alan Fields. and Johnny Crosby. Honorary pallbearers will be Sid Davis, Wayne Bullock, Avos Stancil, Larry Joe Braley, Eddie Frey, Tom Wishard, Joe Albritton, David Duncan, Billy Carl Crews, Derrel Fitzgerald, Randy Fitzgerald, Robert Wayne Milton, Harvey Milton, Clint Norwood, Freddy Hulsey and Tommy Hulsey.
Doug was one of the nicest men I’ve ever know. He was my first boss at E-Systems in 1982. Doug never turned his back on anyone that needed help, what a great man he was, and I am honored to have know him. My prayers go out to the family for this huge loss.
Just want you to know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Doug was an amazing man. And such a servant in his community and to the Lord. I never saw him that he did not have a smile on his face or a good word to say. I told him several times he needed to write a book about all the knowledge he had about Ladonia, Fannin county, and just basic stories he recalled about many people he knew, buildings and places in Ladoina, and community leaders and the Ladonia rattlers and Fannindel Falcons. Such a loss to the community and to his family. My heart goes out to you Peggy and your sons. I hope you feel theove from so many who loved you and Doug.
Just knowing Doug was in the world made it somehow a safer place to be. He was a solid rock for all, family, friends, church and community. You knew if you called Doug he would do what ever he could to help. What a blessing to have known such a righteous man of God. Ladonia and all that encompasses will not be the same without him. Prayers for Peggy & the family.
We are sorry for the loss of Doug, always enjoyed having a chat with him. He will not only be missed by family but by the whole area he was always trying to bring new things into the area he was so proud of the new lake. To sum it up he was one finest people I’ve ever known. He will be missed by all.
I am very sorry to hear of your father’s passing, Scott. I did not have the pleasure to meet him. However, knowing you as I do, your Dad was quite a man and has left a legacy in this world to be very proud of. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Cynthia, your Mom, and the entire Franklin family. Condolences for your loss.
Doug was a lifelong friend of our family. When we were growing up in Ladonia our families always had Christmas breakfast together. Doug was such a pleasant person to be around. God Bless him and his family
Doug was such a wonderful man. He hired me right out of college in 1981 and gave me a chance.
It changed the entire course of my and Lisa’s life. He was always kind, helpful and understanding. He was a great boss and set a good example for all to follow. I always enjoyed his sense of humor and willingness to help anyone. He was a good father and you can see the results in Shawn and Scott.
My life is better for knowing Doug. I know he has touched many others to the same extent. My heart goes out to Peggy, Scott and Shawn.
My deepest condolences.
We’re so sorry for y’all loss Mr Franklin was AND AWESOME MAN. He will BE MISSED!
Prayers for peace and strength for the family????????
Dear Peggy, Janice, Scott and Shaun-my heart goes out to you all at this time. Doug was a great friend, businessman and community leader.
His great faith in our Community and school and each other will long survive this very sad time for all of you.
Sincerely Richard Weeks
Doug Franklin, thank you for always being there for me, I will treasure every moment, and just remember that one day we will be reunited. I miss you Boss, but I know you are in a better place. My heart is broken ????, but where ever you’ll be , you’ll be in my heart.
Rest In Peace
Sincerely,
Roger, M.
Such a great man and a great loss. We love Doug and know he is looking down at us from heaven. Prayers, thoughts and love to the Franklin family.
Miss you papa doug
Doug is a great loss not only to Ladonia, but to the entire area. No one else can wear as many hats as he did. God bless you, Peggy and family.
Sorry for your loss
We are so sorry for the loss of your loved one. So proud we could call him our class president. Our sympathy to Peggy, sons, Janice and families.
Praying for the family may the lord give you all the confert during your time
Our deepest condolences to the family
My daughter Ami Morris Franklin is married to his Grandson Chris. I’m saddened that baby Fallon (2 months) will not know her Great Grandfather Doug.
Doug will sincerely be missed by all who knew him. He was such a good man and a true friend to all who knew him. Blessings to his family.
We will all miss Doug…his leadership and friendship.
Doug Franklin was a very accomplished man! I became acquainted with Mr. Franklin during my 19 years that I was a teacher at the Elementary School in Pecan Gap. We always knew we were in good hands because Doug Franklin was like the “Captain” of our school board! Thankfully, I also had the opportunity to teach some of his most precious accomplishments…his grandchildren. It was my pleasure and an honor to have known Doug Franklin.
So sorry to hear about Mr. Franklin. He was such a remarkable person and was an inspiration to everyone. He was a wonderful friend to my Dad (Leon Hurse) and was very involved in the community. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
Growing-up with Doug is such a fond memory. We spent all of our public school years in that same big old Ladonia schoolhouse. We were in the same Sunday school classes for 7 years and the same confirmation class when we were 12 years old. Larry graduated from Fannindel High School one year after I graduated. He always impressed me as being a very mature and focused student in everything he did.
Our last conversation over the phone consisted of common doctors, lake details, Ladonia’s interesting facts, and of course the new church. He kept me captivated for about 45 minutes and I enjoyed every minute.
Doug was such a kind, intelligent man. I will miss talking about nature with him.
Thoughts and prayers for the entire Franklin family. May the Lord’s blessings guide you all through this time.
I am so sorry for your loss. Doug was one of my fellow Master Naturalists at Bois d’Arc Chapter. I always looked forward to being with him at our Chapter meetings and listening to information that he shared with the group from his many experiences in the natural world. Doug always made me feel so welcome in the Chapter meetings with a simple recognition, his joviality, and hugs.
He will be missed by many, including many family members, friends, the community of Ladonia, and myself. Please accept my condolences.
Please accept my condolences.
Prayers go out to the Connell Family. May god bless you all.
Cassandra Gibson – coworker of a great friend Janice Connell.
Janice, my prayers are with you and your family at this time. So sorry for your loss.
Many blessings,
Cassie
(Ecclesiastes 7:1) Doug’s reputation proceeded him, it is obvious, down to the day he fell asleep in death. It was my honor to have met Mr. Doug when I did. I immediately could feel the kindhearted ness that time I met him that every one talks about. A gift he was to so many. Looking forward to meeting him again in a perfect state. ❤️
A good man, and a good friend.
Mr Franklin was one of the good guys…a true gentleman. I always admired him and his lovely wife, Peggy. Enjoy a couple of 4th of July fireworks in downtown Ladonia at the square with them. I always felt underdressed when he visited our farmhouse. Mr Franklin always sharply dressed and my husband, Steve and usually in old clothes working the land.
Mr Franklin had a kind heart and will be missed by many. It was a blessing to know him. Prayers to Ms Peggy as she heals and to the Franklin family.
Praying for the entire Franklin family whom we love very much. God Bless you.
Doug touched a lot of lives in this community. For me every time I had the opportunity to meet or even in passing, I felt blessed when we parted. He set an example few can live up to. Thank you for sharing this remarkable man with us and may God’s Peace be on you during this time.
Doug was a one-of-kind person. He was always such an encouragement to me ever since I started talking to him about history at Fat Boy’s BBQ. He kept that encouragement up as I started going to his church, joined the fire department, and later went to college. Doug will be sorely missed. A light turned off too soon.
Sincere Sympathy and prayers sent.
Our prayers go out to all of the family. We are so sorry for your loss.
Joe and Becky Vogel
We will miss you.
Sorry for your loss. Deepest Condolences from the Benton Family.
You will be missed greatly!
We are so sorry Doug is not with you anymore. He was such an incredible individual. The service was beautiful and the words spoken of him were so comforting. We needed the wind to calm down and the sun to warm us and isn’t it timely, how that happened? When I saw the silhouette of the heron as it flew against the soft sunlit clouds in the sky, all I could think of, was that God is with us and Doug is at peace. We pray that you all find comfort and keep hearing his voice as he said “everything is going to be ok”. ~ Cheryl L McClure and Jan Paul Kruger
Peggy, I am so very sorry that your Doug has gone. I just had the urge to find you again and saw the obituary. All the mail we have sent your way has returned to us, to I realize that you moved. Please call me. Cousin Donna 6163682392