Joseph Powel Franklin

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Denny Coll on March 18, 2017:

The long Gray Line want lost one of its pillars a few days ago. Joe Franklin, former Commandant, former tennis player, former six string banjo player, former really nice guy left our ranks way too soon. I first met Joe and Connie at Dick and (the late) Charron Traut's house here in Chicago before Founders Day back in the eighties. The Trauts were classmates of the Franklin's and hosted a dinner in their honor. In addition to being one of the most charming couples you would ever want to meet, they seem to have a limitless amount of joy and love of life. After dinner, we somehow got into the music room and the next thing I know, Joe is playing a six string banjo. Not being a musician, I do not know the difference between five and six strings, but I've been told that most banjos are five string and playing a six string is very challenging. Be that as it may, that evening started a long and fantastic relationship between the extended Coll family and the Franklin's. This included seeing them at different functions at West Point, visiting them at their place on the Cumberland River, having two of my kids live with them in Spain, to name a few. Joe called one day from Europe and asked if we would be amenable to hosting the son of some Spanish friends of his. Joe at the time was stationed in Spain where he became good friends with Juan Carlos. We agreed and that began a mini-exchange visit with us. Oldest son Brian and daughter Shannon would go over and live with the Franklin's in Spain. Joe always had a kind word for everyone, even when the situation did not merit it. I remember visiting them in Hawaii, where his orders (as a two star) had been abruptly accelerated prior to their move to Spain. Joe took it in good order, without complaint, saluted and moved on. I always thought they were one of the neatest, most fun-loving to say nothing of best tennis playing couples that I had ever met. Joe has been taken from us far too early and his presence will be sorely missed by myself and the rest of our extended family. We send our love and our sincerest condolences to Connie and the boys. Denny & Cathy Coll '65 Brian & Carolina Coll '92 Shannon Coll Horne '95

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