Individual Details
Delmer Ray Franklin
(16 Aug 1932 - 9 Mar 2020)
SGT US Air Force, Korea, Vietnam
Delmer "Ray" Franklin, USAF, Retired, born on 16 of August 1932 in Shamrock, TX died on 9 March 2020 at his residence in Marion, TX. He was born to Major Lee Franklin and Thelma Inez Franklin as was one of four brothers. Ray served 20 years in the United States Air Force and served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During his service, Ray was awarded the Bronze Star for his meritorious and selfless service during Vietnam. Having been born into a family of musicians, Ray learned to play the banjo at a young age and later the guitar. Ray continued to play music until his passing and played guitar for the Texas Top Hands band. Ray has earned numerous musical awards such as multiple state and world championships earning him a place in the Texas Fiddler's Hall of Fame. When asked how he was able to do so much at his age, Ray stated "do something you love(music), spend time with family, and a little whiskey doesn't hurt". Ray is survived by his children, grandchildren, numerous extended family members and many friends.
Rest in peace, sir.
Delmer "Ray" Franklin, USAF, Retired, born on 16 of August 1932 in Shamrock, TX died on 9 March 2020 at his residence in Marion, TX. He was born to Major Lee Franklin and Thelma Inez Franklin as was one of four brothers. Ray served 20 years in the United States Air Force and served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During his service, Ray was awarded the Bronze Star for his meritorious and selfless service during Vietnam. Having been born into a family of musicians, Ray learned to play the banjo at a young age and later the guitar. Ray continued to play music until his passing and played guitar for the Texas Top Hands band. Ray has earned numerous musical awards such as multiple state and world championships earning him a place in the Texas Fiddler's Hall of Fame. When asked how he was able to do so much at his age, Ray stated "do something you love(music), spend time with family, and a little whiskey doesn't hurt". Ray is survived by his children, grandchildren, numerous extended family members and many friends.
Rest in peace, sir.
Events
| Birth | 16 Aug 1932 | Shamrock, Wheeler County, Texas | |||
| Census (family)-shared | 22 Apr 1940 | (Major Lee Franklin Sr. and Thelma Inez Davis) Grayson County, Texas |  |  | |
| Marriage | 25 Feb 1966 | Guadalupe County, Texas - Geraldine Whitehead | | | |
| Divorce | 29 Oct 1973 | Bexar County, Texas - Geraldine Whitehead | | | |
| Marriage | 29 Aug 1974 | Guadalupe County, Texas - Geraldine Whitehead | | | |
| Death | 9 Mar 2020 | Marion, Guadalupe County, Texas | |||
| Burial | Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas | | |
Families
| Spouse | Geraldine Whitehead (1940 - 2018) |
| Father | Major Lee Franklin Sr. (1904 - 1981) |
| Mother | Thelma Inez Davis (1907 - 1981) |
| Sibling | Verlan Lee Franklin (1928 - 1935) |
| Sibling | Melvin Royce Franklin (1930 - 2016) |
| Sibling | Major Lee Franklin Jr. (1932 - ) |
| Sibling | William Jackson Martin Franklin (1934 - 1999) |
Notes
Census (family)-shared
Major L Franklin Head Male 35 Arkansas - Cook, W.P.A. Public SchoolInez Franklin Wife Female 33 Texas
Royce M Franklin Son Male 10 Texas
Delmar R Franklin Son Male 7 Texas
William M Franklin Son Male 5 Texas
Marriage
Delmer Ray FranklinEvent Type: Marriage
Event Date: 25 Feb 1966
Event Place: Guadalupe, Texas, United States
Age: 34
Birth Year (Estimated): 1932
Spouse's Name: Geraldine Whitehead
Spouse's Age: 25
Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1941
Divorce
Delmer R FranklinEvent Type: Divorce
Event Date: 29 Oct 1973
Event Place: Bexar, Texas, United States
Age: 43
Marriage Date: 25 Feb 1966
Birth Year (Estimated): 1930
Spouse's Name: Geraldine Franklin
Spouse's Age: 32
Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1941
Number of Children Under Age 18: 0
Marriage
Delmer R FranklinEvent Type: Marriage
Event Date: 29 Aug 1974
Event Place: Guadalupe, Texas, United States
Age: 43
Birth Year (Estimated): 1931
Spouse's Name: Geraldine Whitehead
Spouse's Age: 33
Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1941
Burial
PLOT Section 114 Site 89Endnotes
1. United States Census, 1940 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWV5-X5J.
2. Texas Marriages, 1966-2010 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VTVJ-VXS.
3. Texas Divorce Index, 1968-2010 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VY6D-38V.
4. Texas Marriages, 1966-2010 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VTY8-M7D.
5. Find a Grave Memorial 207779378.