Obituary

Harry Gump Franklin, Jr. was born on September 26, 1943 to the union of Harry Gump Franklin, Sr.[Chilhowee, VA] and Mary Janet (Parker) Franklin [Penhook, VA] in Roanoke, Virginia.

He attended Roanoke Public Schools, concluding with his graduation from Lucy Addison High School in the Class of 1961, generally referred to as 'Simply the Best'.  During his term at Addison, in his senior year, he was a member of the football team with the best record (8-1-1) in the history of the school, at that time.

He fully accepted Christ in his life, at the age of 13, when he was baptized at the Loudon Avenue Christian Church where he continued until his relocation.  He was a member of many youth groups, including the Boy Scouts of America.

He attended Tennessee State University located in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1961 to 1965, graduating with a BS in Aeronautics; and completed some graduate work, toward an MBA, at the University of Detroit.

During his senior year, he married Marian Ann (Williams) Franklin and to that union two children, Kelli (born in Nashville) and Troy (born in Detroit), were born.

After working three years (1965-1968) in Nashville, following graduation, he moved to Detroit in 1968 where he began work at Ford Motor Company, on June 10, 1968, as a graduate trainee Production Supervisor in the Dearborn Frame Plant.  He continued working there for 33 years, retiring on June 1, 2001.

During his tenure at Ford, he held numerous positions including Production Supervisor, Labor Relations Representative, Safety Engineer, Labor Relations Staff Investigator, Plant Labor Relations Supervisor (at two plants), National Programs Training Developer, Salaried Employee Personnel Planner, Plant Human Resources Manager (at two plants) and retired as a Division Special Projects Human Resources Manager.

Before leaving Roanoke, he became a member of Loudon Avenue Christian Church in 1955.  Subsequently, he was a member of Calvin Presbyterian Church of Detroit, and following its closing, joined Westminster Presbyterian Church of Detroit where he continued as a member. He held a number of leadership positions within the church including Deacon, Elder, Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee.

He was also a Cub Scout Leader and Scoutmaster, for the Boy Scouts of America for nine (9) years.  He also coached little league softball and basketball.

He served on the Board of Directors of the YMCA, and served on the Board of two foundations; Detroit Tennessee State University Alumni Association Foundation and Southfield Kappa Foundation. He was a charter member of the Southfield Kappa Foundation which, since its inception, has provided over $800,000 in scholarship grants to Detroit Area students.

He chartered the Detroit TSUAA Foundation, in 2004.  This Foundation provides scholarship grants to Detroit Area students who attend Tennessee State University.

He is a Life Member of LAHS Class of 1961, Tennessee State University Alumni Association and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

He was initiated into the Southfield Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity in 1988. He served as Polemarch (President) of the Southfield (MI) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., from 1994-1996.

He was the Keeper of the Exchequer (Treasurer) for the Northern Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity from 1999-2001.

From 2001 to 2007, he served as the Senior Province Vice Polemarch (Vice President) for the Northern Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.  The Northern Province has jurisdiction over all chapters, undergraduate and alumni, within the entire state of Michigan, Western New York (Buffalo, Rochester & Syracuse) and Northwestern Ohio (Toledo and Bowling Green).  He served as Province Polemarch from 2007-2011.  He was elected to two (2) terms as a Grand Board Member from 2011-2015.

He received numerous Kappa Alpha Psi awards including: the 1989 Committee Person of the Year; 1991 Committee Chairman of the Year and Polemarch's Award; 1992 Committee Chairman of the Year and Gerald D. Cardwell Award; 1994 Major Contributor Award; 1997 Gerald D. Cardwell Award; 1999 Achiever of the Year Award; 2000 Major Contributor Award; 2001 Gerald D. Cardwell Award and Robert L. Gordon Award; 2002 Achiever of the Year Award, 2005 Achiever of the Year Award, the 2007-2014 '500 Club' member award and the 2009 Gerald D. Cardwell Award Recipient.

When not engaged in Kappa and TSUAA matters, he enjoyed golfing, shooting sports, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He received two honors during 2020; a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southfield Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and a scholarship was named, in his honor, by the Tennessee State National Alumni Association – Detroit Chapter.

H e was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Marian, son Troy, father (Harry), mother (Mary) and sister (Joan Hill).  He leaves to cherish his memory, daughter Kelli (Keith) Joyner, two grandchildren (Austin & Brooke Joyner) three nieces (Portia Hill, Dina Waters & Sonji Hill) and great nieces: LaQueta Hill, LaQuesa Hill, Shamika Rice, Sharron Waters, Kendell Hill, Shamaya McCord; nephew, Malichi McCord and a host of other family members and friends.

Memorial Service

Saturday, July 31, 2021

10:00 a.m. ET

Westminster Church of Detroit

17567 Hubbell Avenue

Detroit, MI   48235

313-341-2697

Main Sanctuary

Radio Broadcast, North Parking Lot AM 1630 Live

Stream on You Tube

https://youtu.be/lqpD ArKwq4

IN  LIEU OF FLOWERS, THE FAMILY WELCOMES DONATIONS TO :DETROIT (TSUAA) FOUNDATION

P.O. BOX 37075

OAK PARK, MI 48237-0075