Obituary of Ralph D. Franklin

Ralph D Franklin, 72 of Linn Creek, died Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at his home surrounded by his wife and children. Ralph was born March 25, 1946 in Linn Creek Missouri at his Grandmother’s home and raised in Camden County. He is the eldest son of James A. and Mildred (McDowell) Franklin, lifelong residents of the lake area.
 

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, James A Franklin, Jr and Ronald Keith Franklin.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Vicki (Kapp) Franklin of the home and five children: Michelle(David, deceased) Oboyski of Tucson, Arizona; Angela (Tim) Bettinger of Robinson, Texas; Daniel ( fiancé Edna Wilson ) Nye of Lawson, Missouri; Joshua Franklin of Camdenton , Missouri ; and Jennifer (Tony) Wolfe of Aurora, Colorado. He is also survived by 11 Grandchildren; David, Samuel and John Oboyski of Tucson, Arizona, Shayna (Zach) Winterrowd and Christopher Bettinger of Waco, Texas, Austin Nye of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Wyatt Nye of Lawson, Missouri, Mitchell Franklin of Camdenton, Missouri, Maxwell and Liam Wolfe of Aurora Colorado. Matthew (Emily) Willis of Fort Lewis, Washington and their children, Atticus and Indigo.
He is also survived by two sisters, Elaine (James) Gilley , Camdenton, Missouri and Jackie (Dave) Gordon of Linn Creek, Missouri, and sister in law, Julie Franklin(James A Jr.), Linn Creek, Missouri.

Ralph graduated from Camdenton High School in 1964 and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. After leaving the lake area for a few years working for national insurance companies, he returned to the lake to work at Farmer Foster Insurance Agency. He retired from this agency (later changed to McGrath Ins Agency) as Vice-President after 36 yrs.

Ralph was a strong supporter of the lake area. He was proud of his family heritage in shaping and developing the area. He loved to share memories of his youth and school years. From eating squirrel and dumplings at his grandma’s house to playing Laker Football, all memories were good. 

Ralph was no stranger to hard work.  He began working at age 11 by shining shoes at Butts Barbershop.  He rode his bike to work, whether it was at the drive-in theatre or bridal cave and walked to his job at the grocery store in Osage Beach from his grandmother’s house. The most rewarding and enjoyable work for him was his time with the Camden County Sheriff’s Department. 

He was involved in many civic endeavors, boards, and committees. He was instrumental in combining Osage Beach and Lake Ozark Chambers of Commerce and served years on the board and as President of the Lake Association and Tri County Lodging Association. He served on the Camden County Planning and Zoning Committee and Board of Directors as president of the Mid County Fire Protection District in its early years.

Ralph is a charter member of the Camdenton United Methodist Church and is a current member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Ozark, Missouri.

His high school yearbook said his pet peeve was someone slamming his car door. His pet peeve remained unchanged up until the day that he died.  He enjoyed vehicles and in later years especially his travels with his wife in their motor home, particularly to his property in Florida. He also enjoyed his fishing trips. It didn’t matter if it was the Alaska trips for salmon and halibut or floating the White River in Arkansas for trout, he loved them all.

He was very proud of his children and loved hearing of the successes of his grandchildren. He had tremendous respect for his military sons in law and grandsons. His fried chicken with biscuits and gravy on Christmas morning will be a wonderful memory for all.

Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 pm Friday, January 25, 2019 at Hedges-Scott Funeral Home in Camdenton.  Funeral mass will be held Saturday, January 26, 11:00 am, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Ozark, Missouri.  

Burial will follow at Freedom Cemetery. Pallbearers are his 10 grandsons: David, Samuel and John Oboyski, Christopher Bettinger, Austin and Wyatt Nye, Mitchell Franklin, Matthew Willis, and Maxwell and Liam Wolfe.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Ralph Franklin Memorial Scholarship supporting The Lake Career and Technical Center.

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