Clyde Joseph “Joe” Franklin

Clyde Joseph “Joe” Franklin passed away peacefully of heart failure on Thursday February 4th, 2021 at the age of 89. A private Memorial service will be held for the immediate family only (due to Covid-19) Saturday, February 13, 2:00 p.m. at Ward’s Funeral Home, Gainesville, Georgia with burial to follow at Alta Vista Cemetery.

Joe was born in Asheville, N.C., April 14, 1931, to the late Clyde Richard Franklin and Minnie “Dodie” Tatum Franklin. He was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Joyce Franklin Wheeler.  Survivors include: brother, Julian Kenneth Franklin and sister, Cherie’ JoAnn Franklin Dollar, several nieces and nephews.

He was a member of Central Baptist Church. He graduated from Gainesville High School, and attended Truett- McConnell College. As a High School senior, he was elected President, DeMolay International Youth Leadership organization of which he had been an active member.

He will be remembered as a business manager and accountant, having worked for Ralston Purina, Days Inns of America, Cecil B. Day Foundation, Davis Brothers Hotels of Florida and LaBri Associates.

Joe “adopted” many nieces and nephews and taught countless children and adults to water ski on Lake Lanier. Joe was a pioneer skier with his Cris-Craft inboard ski boat and is credited with founding the Lanier Ski Club. Stories are still told of people observing Lanier’s first barefoot

skiers, ramp jumpers, trick and winter skiers behind the Franklin Cris-Craft, named “Dodie”.

Joe loved people and was generous with his time and talent for business. He will be remembered for his eloquent writing skills and creativity. He designed the Chattahoochee Country Club logo of the three “C’s” in the form of three waves, still in use today with the Club.

Joe loved music, always singing, and remembered for his talented voice, in church on Sundays and other family and civic events. In his lifetime, he adopted many animals: dogs and cats. Each one was very special to him.

Memorial gifts can be made to Central Baptist Church, 785 Main Street, Gainesville, GA 30501 or the Hall County Humane Society, 845 W. Ridge Rd Gainesville, GA 30501.

Please share online condolences or memories with the family at www.wardsfh.com. Ward’s Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Clyde Joseph Franklin.

Ward’s Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gainesville. “A Family Funeral Home”