Charles “Chuck” Franklin, age 83, of Red Bluff, CA passed away on Friday, August 18th at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital after a short bout with pneumonia. In his final days, he was surrounded by loved ones and he will be greatly missed.
Charles, known better by the name of Chuck, was born on May 3rd, 1940, to parents Charles W. Franklin and Geraldine (Bruyn) Franklin. His earliest years were on their farm in Monmouth, Illinois. He spent his time helping his Mother as his Father served in WW II and as the oldest son became the man of the house as a teen. He graduated from Green Ridge High School in 1958, and shortly after headed West to California with his cousin Darrell. He was later joined by his Grandmother whom all referred to as “Granny Franklin.” This was the beginning of a lifetime of elder care by Chuck. There they settled in the Sacramento area, and Chuck started working in the poultry industry for Walter Watson in Elverta, CA. In 1964 his best friend introduced him to his recently widowed sister-in-law, Aliece (Johnson) Shell. He quickly fell in love with both Aliece and her two young children and they married in 1965, celebrating their 58th year of marriage the final week of Chuck’s life. Chuck worked for and later purchased Weber Egg Co. in Rio Linda, CA, where they raised their growing family, adding first a daughter in 1968 and a son in 1969.
Professionally Chuck, together with his wife Aliece made a living working together as business owners, first as CA Poultry ranchers/egg producers at Weber Ranch on G Street in Rio Linda for over twenty years and later as mobile home park owner operators, both in the Oroville and Lake Tahoe areas. They were strong believers in real estate and had many tenants in their rentals over the years. In 2004 they made the move to Chuck’s final residence and ranch, known informally as the “CAf” ranch to friends and family on Red Bank Road in Red Bluff, CA. It is worth noting that over all of these moves Chuck and Aliece moved his widowed “aunties” along with them to each location, because for him, Family was everything. Chuck raised beef for market and grew a herd of Texas longhorns, horses, mini horses, and mini donkeys, laying hens and doves, just to love. As was his kind nature, in his later years he gave away most all the eggs produced by his hens to family and friends in the local area. He loved the open spaces, the views of Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen, and the country lifestyle to the end.
While it is impossible to describe the many sides of Chuck, most will agree that he was always a helper. In his lifetime he was the one who got things done, especially for others. He was always a caretaker of his Granny and elderly aunties and yet was the life of the party in his younger years. He was infamous for his shenanigans and pranks as a youngster and delighted in dressing up in costumes and hosting parties as a young man. He was generous with others, took in many, and loved Jesus. He raised his family in church having volunteered many years as a trustee, deacon, and bus driver for the Rio Linda First Baptist Church. Chuck loved dressing dapper, picnics at Gibson Ranch, pies, camping, skinny-dipping in a mountain river, climbing high trees and bridges, and Red Toyota trucks, one of which he logged over a million miles. He delighted in collecting things of all types, loved all junk stores, and was a recycler before it ever became politically correct. While not a sports fan in general he loved the Oakland A’s of the early 1970’s, attending many games in person with the family. He also loved attending “Big Time Wrestling” matches at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Later in life, after living in Red Bluff, he developed a strong interest in the PBR (Professional Bull Riding) and was an avid watcher of the annual event held in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was a hard worker with a strong work ethic, a great listener, and a man of few words who was faithful.
Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Aliece Franklin, and their four children: son Randy Franklin, daughter Lesa Franklin-Johnson (Erik), daughter Jaylinn Burke (Danny), and son Charles Gregory Franklin (Angelina). He is also survived by 5 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He is also survived by foster sons Robert and Russell Losey and Richard and Larry Bates. Foster son Leonard Losey preceded him in death. Chuck leaves a beloved sister, Bonnie Jean Lazenby of Sedalia, MO(Charlie), and was preceded in death by his younger brothers Jerry Lee Franklin, Danny Franklin, and Chris Franklin. Chuck is also survived by his younger sisters Cyndi Franklin-Collins (Ron) Anne Franklin and brother Dennis Taylor. He is also survived by his very best life-long friend from his school days and through all seasons of life, Dr. Don Pottorff.
Services and burial for Chuck were held at East Lawn cemetery at 5757 Greenback Lane, Sacramento on Friday, August 25th. He will be greatly missed. For those wanting to make a donation in Chuck’s memory, please consider the Red Bluff Garden Club, the Red Bluff Junior Round-Up, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, all charities loved and supported by Chuck in his final years.
