Donald 'Don' Franklin, 89

Donald "Don" Ray Franklin, 89, Christian, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and coach, left our world on July 22, 2024, in McMinnville, Oregon. God graced Don with a full life of committed love, having been married for almost 69 years to his best friend and wife, Nancy.

“Growing up Western” in Kalispell, Don loved the outdoors, swimming, fishing and hunting. Competition animated Don’s life, including standout days playing football and basketball for the Flathead Braves, participating in handball, racquetball, tennis and pickleball tournaments, playing cards, and even competing in fun ice auger competitions. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1971, he went on to teach and coach high school in several towns, including: Orting, Washington; Polson; Bigfork; Wasilla, Alaska and Sheridan, Oregon. Through teaching the sciences and coaching sports, Don positively impacted many people, instilling confidence, teamwork, the joy of competition and the mindset to overcome challenge. Other occupations in Don’s career included serving our country in the U.S. Navy, building dams in the west, delivering mail for the U.S. Postal Service, creating a startup water well drilling business and logging in the summer months. After retiring, Don and Nancy continued to serve, joining RVers for Christ and supporting Christian organizations' construction needs throughout the West. Retirement allowed Don to return to his love of music, playing the trumpet in several bands.

In addition to his wife Nancy; surviving Don are his three children, Debra Ann (Dale Reed), Kim Mack and Don (Kimberly); his sister Mary (Russ Chandler); nine grandchildren, Gary, Angela, Michelle, Zack, Chase, Jacob, Leah, Lacey and Jenna; 19 great-grandchildren, Auna, Zachariah, Ethan, Hudson, Holden, Hadley, Kinley, Colsen, Emerson, Mackson, Oakland, Rowan, Phoebe, Hunter, Molly Sue, Liam, Lukas, Logan, Luke; and one great-great-grandchild, Adam.

A prayer service was held on July 26, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., at the Rock of Ages Chapel, McMinnville, Oregon. A graveyard burial service will be held on July 30, 10 a.m., at Conrad Cemetery, within the splendor of the Rockies, Don knew and loved. See you later Dad.