James Millard Franklin

James Millard Franklin, 92, of Gurdon, passed away on Sept. 8, 2017, in the comfort of his home as was his last wish. James was born on April 3, 1925, in rural Gurdon to the late James Andrew and Hattie Elizabeth (Humphries) Franklin. James was a welder by vocation and spent 50-plus years crisscrossing the United States working on pipelines and mentoring many a young welder. Although his formal education was limited, he was one of the smartest men around. There wasn't a problem he couldn't solve, a structure he couldn't build or an old Jeep he couldn't remake and drive. He delighted his grandchildren by building big-wheel tricycles from old bicycle parts. One of the last living members of the "greatest generation," James served in World War II as a bombardier in a B-24 aircraft in Europe flying 50 missions. He was awarded the Purple Heart when his plane was shot down. He was a member of the International Order of the Hoo-Hoo, a Mason, a 65-year member of Pipeliners Local Union 798, a member of the 376th Bomb Group Association, and the First Baptist Church in Gurdon where, until his health declined, he was the man you called when anything needed "fixing." James was a life-long Democrat, avid hunter and fisherman, solver of the world's problems with his coffee-drinking buddies and a fixture at the Gurdon Senior Center for lunch. His good natured wit will be missed by all who knew him. James was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Verna Minton and brothers Dudlie, Espa, Milton, Doyle, and Roy and first wife Betty Davis Franklin. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sarah Ann Franklin; a brother, Charner; three children, Donna (Gary) Bevill, James Millard (Suzanne) Franklin Jr. and Teresa Zeigler; five grandchildren, David Franklin (Darcy) Bevill, Laura Beth (Andy) Matson, Michael Zeigler, Chandler Franklin and Madison Franklin; and three great-grandchildren, Katherine Elizabeth, Jackson James and Olivia Margaret Bevill who worshipped their Great-Poppa. Visitation will be at Pharr Funeral Home in Gurdon on Sunday, 6-8 p.m. September 10. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, September 11 at First Baptist Church in Gurdon, with interment to follow in Bethlehem Cemetery, Gurdon, Ark., under the direction of Pharr Funeral Home of Gurdon, Ark. Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Cemetery Fund at First State Bank of Gurdon or First Baptist Church of Gurdon.