James A. Franklin's Obituary
James A. Franklin, age 91, passed away on October 25th 2015 at his home in Fort Myers, Florida. From the beginning of his life journey on June 4th, 1924 until his demise, he nourished those around him with compassion and joy. Jim, as he was known, was born in Jacksonville, Florida to James A Franklin Sr. and Eugene Waterbury Franklin. The family moved to Fort Myers when Jim was four months old after his father James Franklin Sr. started his law practice with R.A. Henderson. Jim went to Edison Park Elementary School and graduated from Fort Myers High School in 1942. After graduation Jim joined the Navy in December of 1942 and was enlisted until March of 1946. In 1946 he went to the University of Florida and studied law to follow in the footsteps of his father. In 1947 Jim married Regina Draughon and together they had three children. Graduation from law school in 1949 was on a Saturday night and the following Monday morning, Jim went right to work for his father’s law firm Henderson & Franklin in Fort Myers.Jim retired as a senior partner from Henderson Franklin Starnes & Holt in 1993 after 44 years of practicing successful law. Jim’s philosophy throughout his life in any situation was to do the right thing. He mentored young attorneys up until he passed away with this philosophy and was proud of everyone of them. When Jim retired, his law firm started a FGCU scholarship fund for the needy students that qualified and many have benefited from this. After retirement to the present, Jim remained an honorary partner at the firm. His career highlights include being elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1969, district governor of Rotary and Lee County Bar Association’s Lawyer of the Year in 1982. Henderson Franklin Starnes & Holt has been and will continue to be one of the most trusted and reputable law firms in the history of Lee County thanks to Jim Franklin Jr along with many others.Jim was a member of the Southwest Florida Historical Society and he helped many new members learn the history of Lee County.Jim was a devoted husband and family man that always made time for those around him. Jim is survived by his devoted wife Vonceil Grace Brown and two daughters Denby Smothers and Robin Holton. Grandchildren are: Daniel Draughon Silcox (Katie), Christopher Eugene Silcox (Lucretia), James Tyler Silcox (Katherine), Mehgan Rollings (Reece) and Douglas Albert Baillie. Thirteen great-grandchildren survive.Jim is predeceased by his parents James A Franklin Sr. and Eugene Waterbury Franklin, sisters Margery Welch and Nancy Packett and his son James Albert Franklin.A Memorial Service for Jim will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Monday, November 2, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church, 2438 Second Street, Fort Myers, Florida 33901, (239) 334-2261. A reception at the church will immediately follow the ceremony.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you instead make a donation in Jim’s memory to either Community Cooperative Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, Florida 33902, (239) 332-7687 or to the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers. To leave condolences for the family, please visit Jim’s memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com.
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