Cecil Dennis Franklin

1952 ∼ 2009

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Cecil Dennis "The Plant Doctor" Franklin, 57, of Orange died Thursday, August 6, 2009 in Bridge City.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 10, 2009 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Chaplain Kevin Trinkle.

Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Bridge City.

Friends are invited to visit and share their favorite memories of Dennis from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home.

Dennis was born on February 16, 1952 in Orange. He was the son of Reginald Trezevant and Mae Riser Franklin. Dennis loved playing his trumpet and was instrumental in the reorganization of the Orange Community Band. He wrote "The Plant Doctor" column in the Beaumont Enterprise and hosted KLVI's weekly "Ask The Plant Doctor". He also hosted a T.V. show on channel 4 on Thursday Mornings. He taught Master Gardener classes for the Jefferson County Extension Office and the U.S. Forest Service commissioned him as the primary consultant to prepare and move the first living National Christmas tree to Washington D.C. in 1991.

Dennis received a Bachelors Degree in Botany from McNeese State University in 1974. In 1977, he graduated with a Masters degree from Texas A&M University and then a Ph.D. in 1981. He also received a post doctorate degree from Purdue University in 1986.

He was preceded in death by his father, Reginald Trezevant Franklin.

He is survived by his mother, Mae Franklin of Orange; brother, Reginald Davis Franklin of Beaumont, TX, and sister Jo Ann Franklin of Moss Bluff, LA, along with numerous loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Orange Community Band. Please contact Robert Strickland at 409-866-6299.

Condolences

Anonymous August 13, 2009

Dear Franklin Family, When our little oak tree in the backyard had been knocked over by Ike, after coming back from Rita, it didn't look so good. I watered, talked to, prayed over that little oak. Finally I decided to email Dennis. He was very encou##imported-begin##Pat Dyson##imported-end##

Anonymous August 13, 2009

Dennis was my beloved brother whom I shall miss intensly. Dennis was such a beautiful man, generous, kind, loving and loyal. He taught me so much like how to play trumpet, the names of the constellations in the night sky and included me in almost every ##imported-begin##Jo Ann Franklin##imported-end##

Anonymous August 13, 2009

Mae, Davis and Jo Ann Your family was such a good part of my life when Dennis and I were in school. I cannot thank you enough for all of your kindness through the years. You have my deepest sympathy. Dennis will be missed.##imported-begin##Keith Hazlewood##imported-end##

Anonymous August 11, 2009

Mae and JoAnn, I remember Dennis being the most interesting individual. It is apparent that he carried that through life and made his time on this earth worthwhile. My heart goes out to you. Know that my thoughts and prayers will be with you in the c##imported-begin##Luanne Smart Gorzsas##imported-end##

Anonymous August 11, 2009

Dear Dennis, You are a friend and former neighbor, who loved nature and the outdoors. There was much more for you to do on earth, but God had other plans. We will miss you and will never forget you! Love, Monty & Family##imported-begin##Monty Jones##imported-end##

Anonymous August 11, 2009

Mae, Remembering good friends and thanking God for them. You and your family will be in my prayers. Julie O'Brien Walters Juanita's daughter##imported-begin##Julie Walters##imported-end##

Anonymous August 10, 2009

Franklin Family, Dennis was a uniquely gifted individual. His intelligence, enthusiasm and caring heart were a wonderful gift from God that he freely shared with his M&D Supply family and customers actually, Dennis didn't have customers, he had follow##imported-begin##jeff dyson##imported-end##

Anonymous August 10, 2009

We are thinking about your family today as you go through this difficult time. We are praying for you!##imported-begin##JS & Anne Treme##imported-end##

Anonymous August 9, 2009

My saddness at the loss of one my oldest and dearest friends is overwhelming, made worse because I am unable to attend his funeral services. Mrs. Franklin and Jo Ann, please accept my deepest and sincerest sympathies. I think of you and Dennis often, and ##imported-begin##Roger Dickey##imported-end##

Anonymous August 9, 2009

I am at a loss of words. One of my best friends is gone. What memories, the good times and the bad. The gang Dennis, Tom, Keith, Roger,Jeff and the hot cherry pies. Mrs, Franklin and Jo Ann I miss you all. My love to you all. Glen##imported-begin##M. Glen Kertz##imported-end##

Anonymous August 9, 2009

Dennis was such a good man.##imported-begin##Sean Conrad##imported-end##

Anonymous August 9, 2009

Dennis was a warming,caring person with a unique sense of humor. I smile when I think of the family get togethers and his impersonations of Julia Childs. Mrs Franklin, JoAnn, and Davis, my thoughts and prayers are with each of you.##imported-begin##Vickie Bell##imported-end##

Anonymous August 9, 2009

Dear Franklin Family, We credit Dennis with saving our Live Oak trees from Hurricane Rita, through his advice on how to prune them. We only met him that one time but found him to be a very professional very likable person. We are sorry for your loss.##imported-begin##Mike & Sheila Trahan##imported-end##

Anonymous August 9, 2009

Mrs. Franklin & Family, I was so saddened to hear of Dennis's death. He was such a great friend to me at WOHS. He always had a smile and a joke to share. Dennis was one of the few people that always had something good to say about everybody. I had just ##imported-begin##Donna Miller Vance##imported-end##

Anonymous August 8, 2009

AS friends of Jo Ann ,we extend our love and prayers to the family and friends of Dennis. With every hard cup we drink on this Earth,,we receive crowns in Heaven..HOLD ONTO GOD'S UNCHANGING HAND..BE NOT BITTER OR ANGRY WITH UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.. GOD LO##imported-begin##Leo and Eva Martin##imported-end##

Anonymous August 8, 2009

I am so deeply saddened to lose my friend from elementary school through High School. I will truly miss him. I had come back to Orange this weekend hoping to see Dennis for the first time in many years. His mom made the best Friday night pizzas after th##imported-begin##Keith Perry##imported-end##

Anonymous August 8, 2009

Dennis you will be missed by all of your old friends from WOHS. I remember the good times we all had in the summers between school and at school. I can still see you playing your trumpet at football games. Miss Mae, Joann and Davis, you are all in my pray##imported-begin##Charlene Edgerton Steele##imported-end##

Anonymous August 8, 2009

We will truly miss our friend, "Skink," and the world will be a sadder place without him. Fishing with the Masterfisherman and gardening with the plant doctor will always be part of our memories of Orange. Our thoughts and prayers with Mrs. Franklin and##imported-begin##Dave & Marcia Conrad##imported-end##

Anonymous August 8, 2009

Franklin family Dennis was my friend since 3rd grade,will miss him.##imported-begin##Tommie Landry##imported-end##