Rod Franklin, 63, of San Angelo, passed away March 4, 2003, at his Grape Creek residence after almost a year of battling prostate cancer. Viewing of the body was from 8 a.m. Thursday, March 6 through noon on Friday, March 7. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8 in Johnson's Funeral Chapel with interment to follow in Grape Creek Cemetery. Rodney Grey Franklin was born in San Angelo, Texas, on Oct. 21, 1939, to Robert Morgan Franklin and Ethel Mae Strickland Franklin. His early life was spent in Ozona, where he went to school and graduated in 1958. He attended San Angelo College and later graduated from East Texas State University in Commerce with a bachelor's of science in technical agriculture. Rod married Carolyn (Katy) England in 1960 in Commerce, and they would have celebrated 43 years of marriage on Oct. 14, 2003. Rod was affiliated with M.L. Leddy and Sons Boot Company for 20 years (16 years in Midland and four years in San Angelo) before selling out his interest in 1986. He then went to work with his cousin, Rusty, in the Rusty Franklin Boot Company, where he was general manager until illness forced his retirement in January of this year. His favorite pastimes during the years have been fishing, team roping and hunting. He gave up roping in 1987 and has concentrated mostly on fishing since then. His greatest joy in life was watching his sons grow up riding horses, fishing and hunting, playing basketball and football, singing in the choir, working in the family business and finally becoming fathers themselves. He often said that if he had done nothing else right in his life that he knew he had raised two wonderful sons. Rod is survived by his wife, Katy; his son, Rob of Comfort and his family, Susan, Morgan, Conner, Blue, Skyler and Robin; his son, Fred of Midland and his family, Brenda, Chelsea, Grey, Aaron and Brodie; his brother, Chuck of Stanton, Ky.; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends who will miss him very much. Special people who will be honorary pallbearers are Rusty Franklin, Clayton Friend, Eugene Lopez, Craig Franklin, Jim Bob Harris, Eddie Fowler, Raymond Parker, Greg Garrett, Glen Hadley and Gordon Votaw. The family wishes to acknowledge Amanda and the 2-East nursing staff at San Angelo Community Medical Center for their outstanding service and loving care. Also, appreciation goes to Dr. Jack Rice, Denise, Debbie and Carmen at West Texas Medical Associates for their special care and understanding. A special thanks goes to the Community of Grape Creek and the wonderful people of the Grape Creek School District. To everyone who brought food and offered prayers, comfort and support, we hope you know that we will be forever grateful. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West Texas Boys Ranch, West Texas Rehab Center, Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church of San Antonio or a charity of choice. - San Angelo Standard Times