Charles Ray Franklin

Services for Charles R. Franklin will be held at 11am Friday, June 13, 2014 at First Baptist Church in House, NM. Burial with military honors will follow at Tolar Cemetery with Rev. Sherman Martin and Rev. Walter Greaser officiating. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Honorary bearers will be all his many friends and neighbors. Charles Ray Franklin, 83 of House, NM passed away at his home Monday evening, June 9, 2014 following an illness. He was born January 31, 1931 in Clovis to the home of Charles Clifford and Clara Bee (Smith) Franklin. He was raised at House, NM where he graduated from House High School in 1949. While in High School he competed in the High School Rodeo and earned the Champion Cutting Horse title in 1948, and the Champion Ribbon Roping in 1949. He entered the U.S. Army in 1951 and served two years during the Korean Conflict. He married Lynda Anderson on November 15, 1958 in Mountainair, NM. Charles and his brother owned and operated heavy equipment for many years working for area ranchers and farmers. He also farmed and ranched in Roosevelt and Curry County. Charles was active in his community, he served on the House School Board, and was a 4-H Leader for several years. He encouraged his grandchildren to show steers, and enjoyed the time he spent with his family. He loved calf roping and spoiling his grand kids. Charles is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Ruby Stowe, and Dretha Shultz, a brother Bob Franklin and a grandson Charles Courtlynn Franklin. He is survived by his wife Lynda Franklin of House, NM, a daughter Zena Studdard of House, NM, a son Warren Franklin of Ruidoso, NM, two brothers, his twin Clifford Franklin of House and Derrell Franklin and his wife Karen of Melrose, six grandchildren Kohl Studdard, Ky Studdard both of Roswell, Keely Studdard of House, Dusti Caviness and her husband Jim Ross of Hobbs, Brand Franklin of Ruidoso, and Sky Franklin of Gatesville, TX, one great-grandson Riley Ross Caviness of Hobbs, along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation hours will be Thursday from 1pm to 6pm at the funeral home and from 10-11am at the church. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book, go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com