Thomas E. Franklin 1947-2022
YOUNGSTOWN — Mr. Thomas Edward Franklin, 75, was reunited with the love of his life, Nov. 6, 2022; his beloved wife of 40 years, Mary Ann Harris Franklin, died in 2014.
Mr. Franklin, affectionately known as “Butch,” was born Jan. 17, 1947, in Girard, the older son of Henry and Crese Burnett Franklin.
He was a 1965 graduate of Girard High School and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Youngstown State University. Thomas was a proud and active member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity for over 50 years and assumed leadership roles in the fraternity and other civic organizations, as his career took the family to several cities, including Atlanta, Chicago and Spokane. A human resources professional and mentor, Thomas was very active in the National Association of African American Human Resource Professionals (NAAAHR), the YSU Football Alumni Association and the Girard High School classmates.
Thomas relocated to Youngstown in spring 2014 to be closer to his mother, and enjoyed reconnecting with friends and family.
He leaves to cherish loving memories, his mother, Crese; five children, Kym Franklin Estis and Kelly N. Emmett Shaffer, both of Atlanta, Ga., Dina A. Franklin of Raleigh, N.C., and Curtis Jackson and Chad E. Franklin, both of Youngstown; six grandchildren, Erica, Andrew, Ariana, Maxwell, Kelley and Olivia; two great-grandchildren, Gibson R. and Riley G.; his brother, Don (Jackie) Franklin of California; and a host of family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Henry.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 15, 2023, at St. John Episcopal Church in Youngstown.
The family requests memorial gifts be made to the YSU scholarship fund Thomas helped set up, in the memory of a fraternity brother tragically killed near YSU. Please designate gifts to the Jamail E. Johnson Scholarship at the YSU Foundation, 655 Wick Ave., Youngstown, OH 44502, or online at ysufoundation.org (click “Give Now” and follow the prompts).
(special notice)