Wesley Kay Franklin, 76, a lifelong resident of Orange, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 18, 2008 at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange. Officiating will be the Reverend Jeff Bell of Calvary Baptist Church in Port Acres. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.

Visitation will be on Thursday, July 17, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Wesley Kay was born May 7, 1932 in Port Arthur to Valray Franklin of Nederland and Gertrude Belle Coffee of Mauriceville. Wesley Kay was a retired construction supervisor for Stone & Webster Engineering and a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force.

Wesley Kay died after a lengthy illness and was devotedly cared for by his wife by which for her this was a "Labor of Love." He loved hunting, fishing, and flying. He was a loving husband, father and friend.

Wesley Kay was also a 50 year member of IBEW Local 479, a 32 degree Mason, he was a member of Masonic Lodge 126 AF & AM for 45 years and a life long member of the El Mina Shriners.

Wesley Kay is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bernie Franklin.

Those left to cherish his memory are wife, Olly Franklin of Orange; daughters, Susan Wilson and husband Don, Desiree Plant and husband Randy, Beverly Duhon and husband Joey all of Orange, and Stephanie Telfer and Stuart of London, England. Also surviving Wesley Kay are five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and brothers, Garlan Franklin of Marksville, LA and Ronnie Franklin of Orange.

Serving as pallbearers will be Stuart Telfer, Joey Duhon, Brian Wilson, Erik Duhon, Don Wilson and Joshua Briggs. Honorary pallbearers will be Zachary Plant and Dillon Trahan.