To Celebrate a Life of Love: Deacon Tom Franklin
October 10, 1937-August 1, 2020
Deacon Tom was born on October 10, 1937 in Lakewood, Ohio to Rollen and Virginia Franklin. He returned to his Heavenly Father at the age of 82. He attended schools in North Olmsted, Ohio. He graduated from Case Institute of Technology in 1959 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Fluid Dynamics. He began working for Sohio Oil while finishing his degree and continued there after college. In 1963 he moved to NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland. In 1966 while reading an SAE magazine, Tom found an ad for a management position at Rohm and Haas’s new Spring House, PA Engine Laboratory. Tom managed that lab for 10 years, but his need to move on brought him to San Antonio, Texas in 1976 for an engineering position with Automotive Research. Several years later he began his own consulting firm, Franklin Research and Technical Services, Inc. He led and served on various committees for SAE and ASTM technical standards groups.
In 1983 he felt called to begin seminary studies to be ordained a Catholic deacon. He was ordained in 1986 and began his ministry at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in San Antonio where he served for 32 years. During those years he and Agnes began Small Church Communities as a continuation of the Renew Process. They educated Communion Ministers, started the ministry to the Sick and Homebound and educated ministers to serve. They served on team for Beyond Cana Retreats and its Outreach to other parishes. Deacon Tom developed the formats used during Holy Week Services and led the monthly Men’s Morning of Prayer. He never stopped learning and could be found at numerous classes at Oblate School of Theology. Wherever there was a need, he reached out and served.
In 2018 Tom suffered a head injury from which he never recovered. Blessings on Kennith Cooper who cared lovingly for Tom before his time at Alpha Senior Care. The family is most grateful for all their care and support through the COVID Pandemic when family could not spend time with him. Many blessings on all those who continued to pray for him and send him and Agnes well wishes, especially our faith community.
Deacon Tom is survived by his best friend, lover, and soul mate, Agnes, with whom he shared 62 years of married life. Together they raised six sons, five of whom survive today; Thomas (& wife Amber), Daniel (& wife Pamela), Mark (& wife Cheri), John (& wife Cynthia), Joseph (& wife Angela), and his nephew, Ralph (& wife Patricia), who came to be a part of our family in 1981. He enjoyed 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, always with a smile on his face.
Those who have gone home to the Father before him are son, Paul & wife Monica, parents Rollen and Virginia Franklin, brother Rollen & wife Gloria, brother Robert & wife Helen, and sister Rosemary. Parents-in-law Joseph & Helen Borosh, sister-in-law Catherine & husband Louis Boehnlein, brother-in-law Joseph & wife Margaret Borosh.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Mobile Loaves & Fishes Ministry (http://sfasat.org/MLF/). You can leave a message in Deacon Tom’s guestbook at http://porterloring.tributes.com/obituary/guestbook/Deacon-Thomas-Franklin-108492189.
Services for Deacon Tom
Masks and physical distancing are required for all services. Seating is limited to 160. Please RSVP to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church by calling 210-492-4600.
Visitation | 6:00-8:00 p.m. with Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. on August 21st. Watch live at https://youtu.be/rCIDIEUpU6M.
Mass of Resurrection | 9:30 a.m on August 22nd. Please arrive 30 minutes early for seating. Watch live at https://youtu.be/ML0FvtB7JT4.
Burial for the family at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery on Nacogdoches Rd.
All services to be held with the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi, 4201 De Zavala Rd., San Antonio, TX 78249.