George Franklin

George was born July 21, 1941 and passed away on November 15, 2007, after a courageous battle with complications from rheumatoid arthritis. Born and raised in San Saba, Texas, by Winnie and "Sleet" Franklin, he left his hometown to pursue an electrical engineering degree at UT-Austin. While there, he met and married the love of his life, Sarah Mayfield, to whom he was married for 44 years. Following college, the couple moved to Plano, where they raised two children, Bill and Susan. During this time he earned a Masters in Engineering Management from Southern Methodist University.

George spent his career in defense contracting, working for TI, Resalab, Aleph, and finally E-Systems/Raytheon, where he spent over 20 years finishing as a technical fellow and lead project engineer on a number of multi-year projects.

Though he was valued as a successful and intelligent engineer, he distinguished himself most as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His love for family extended to his community and kindness for others was shown by countless charitable and compassionate acts. After retirement, George moved with Sarah to Lake Kiowa in Gainesville, TX. He enjoyed many activities and relationships there. He was an active member of the Gainesville First United Methodist Church. George loved to travel, visit friends, work in his workshop, play golf, work puzzles, watch sports and most of all enjoy all of his family. He will be dearly missed.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Bill and Jennifer Franklin of Maidens, Virginia; daughter and son-in-law Susan and Tyson Gallander of Rockwall, Texas, two precious grandchildren Lauren Elizabeth Gallander and John Franklin Gallander; his aunt, Ruth Watkins, and many cousins and nieces and nephews. He was especially close to his brothers and sisters-in-law, Sue and Don Winsor and Jim and Rita Mayfield.

Memorial services for George Franklin will be conducted at the First United Methodist Church on Monday November 19th, at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Don Yeager officiating. The family will receive visitors at 10:00 A.M. at the church.