Funeral services for Donald Louis Franklin, age 73 of Simsboro, LA will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, May 16, 2025 at Owens Memorial Chapel with Rev. Stuart Toms and Mike Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Simsboro City Cemetery in Simsboro, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA. Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM until time of service on Friday.
Donald was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was born June 14, 1951 in Ruston, LA, and was the son of Roy Franklin and Claudine Griffin Franklin, and passed away May 13, 2025 in Simsboro, LA. He was the step-son of Elizabeth Rasbery Franklin, who adored and took care of him and his brother in his childhood years. Donald graduated from Simsboro High School and, post-graduation, went on to work at Laurens Glass Plant where he retired after 42 years of dedicated service.
Donald married his wife, Robyn, in 1976 and began a 49-year marriage. They were blessed with one daughter, Laura, and five grandchildren, Noah, Peyton, Harper, McKenzie, and Annabelle. Donald’s grandchildren were the highlight of each day.
Donald was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to run his deer hunting dogs, deer hunt, and spend time fishing. He was widely known as “Tracker” at Loe’s Pasture Hunting Club where he spent many days doing what he loved.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents and step-mother; brothers, Wayne Gray, and Charles Franklin; sisters, Lorena Hogan, and Shirley Roberts; and grandson, Noah Daniel Taylor.
Donald is survived by his wife, Robyn; daughter, Laura Taylor (Daniel), and grandchildren, Peyton, Harper, McKenzie, and Annabelle. He is also survived by his brother Ronald Franklin (Song Hui); their children Joe (DeAnn) and Elizabeth Wilson (Ty); and a wide circle of extended family and friends who will miss him dearly.
Serving Donald as pallbearers are Trevor Barnett, Andy Brown, Greg Brown, Jarrod Toms, Mervin Trull, and Wayne Upshaw. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Burt, Keith Canterbury, Fred Lamar, and Paul Peterson.
