Gary Wayne Franklin unexpectedly passed from this life as a result of a sudden stroke. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Wayne and Bertha Pauline Franklin, and an infant brother. Gary is survived by his wife, Deborah Ryan Franklin, his two children, Rebecca Franklin and Anthony (Tony) Franklin, grandchildren Hannah and Luke Franklin, and other family he also dearly loved. Prior to his passing, Gary recently enjoyed another trip to the mountains to visit his daughter in New Mexico. A bit later he enjoyed going to his favorite restaurant to celebrate Mother's Day with his wife and son and future daughter-in-law, followed by his daughter coming to spend her summer at his farm, cooking for him regularly.

Gary was born in Yale, Oklahoma, on December 27, 1944. He grew up on a farm southeast of Yale, and graduated from Yale High School in 1963, where he excelled in Future Farmers of America, was co-captain of the football team, and met the love of his life, Debbie Ryan. He married Debbie on August 9, 1964. Gary continued his education at OSU studying agricultural engineering and other agriculture related topics, becoming one of the younger landowners in southeast Yale, gaining over 1300 acres, 300 cattle, and over a dozen horses on his ranch by his early 20s.

Working hard as a farmer and rancher, he especially enjoyed raising watermelons and cantaloupes with his father-in-law Fred Ryan. He was also successful with his fertilizer and spray business for over 30 years. He continued to work tirelessly through every set-back his entire life without slowing down until his health recently began to require it. Regardless, he worked hard on the farm every day to his last day and spent his evenings in his favorite lounger watching old western reruns (especially Gunsmoke).

Devoted father and family man, he always put his family first. He never passed by anyone who looked like they might need a hand and was known to drop what he was doing and spend the rest of his day helping neighbors and others in need. He was never too busy to stop and visit with a neighbor or friend regardless of looming work obligations — to him, people were always more important than money or material goods. (Although he did enjoy ice cream at every opportunity.)

In addition to being the local "Good Samaritan," he loved a good joke, had a hilarious sense of humor, and was quite the prankster. For many years, kids in the community spent half their trick-or-treating night anxiously anticipating where and when Gary was going to scare them.

Long time Elder of Council Valley Advent Christian Church, and even longer steward and friend of everyone in the community. Gary was not a simple man, but he had a simple mission...to love the Lord Jesus and serve people in need.