Roy James Franklin

MSG Retired Roy James Franklin, 76, of Duncan passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2014 in the Duncan Regional Hospital. Graveside memorial services will be 11:00 AM Friday, March 7, 2014 in the Ft. Sill National Veterans Cemetery with Reverend Jeff Kraft officiating. Services are under the direction of the Bailes-Polk Funeral Home. Military honors will be conferred by the Shepard Air Force Base Honors Team and service will be escorted by the Patriot Guard. Roy was born September 23, 1937 at Roff, Oklahoma the son of Rynold William and Darlene Fern (Mason) Franklin. He graduated from the Moore High School in Moore, Oklahoma. After graduating high school he played professional football with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1955 but was injured during the season and soon after joined the Military. He served in United States Air Force from July 25. 1956 to July 31, 1976.He received numerous awards including the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal and the Bronze Star. He was captured and held as a Prisoner Of War during his service in Vietnam. He and Patsy June Perkins were married at Ardmore, Oklahoma on April 26, 1986. He loved working on his farm especially riding the tractor, loved working with wood or tinkering on anything he could with his hands. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Dale Franklin, a son Darrell Abbott and a brother-in-law Duane Smallwood. Survivors include his wife Patsy of the home in Duncan; three sons Charles Burland and his wife Reba of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; William Roy Franklin of Lawton and Dr. Chris Perkins and his wife Patty of Duncan, Oklahoma; a daughter Sharon Dianne Hill and her husband Trevor of Ninnekah, Oklahoma; a sister Martha Jane Smallwood of Wichita, Kansas; seven grandchildren; three great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Online condolences may be made at www.bailespolk. com