Thomas Edward Franklin, 90

Thomas Edward Franklin, 90, of Saratoga, California, died Saturday, April 18, 2015.  He was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, on August 18, 1924, a son of Charles and Sedona (Becker) Franklin.

Thomas grew up in the Independence, Missouri area. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1942, University of Kansas (BSME), Professional Engineer (PE), UCLA (MBA), Army War College in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Command and General Staff School in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Thomas served in the 82nd Airborne Infantry in World War II. He stood guard at General Eisenhower's door in Berlin. He retired from the Army Reserve with the rank of Colonel.

Married to Dorothy Loraine Monahan whom he met while attending KU. They moved to the Los Angeles area in 1957 and to the Santa Clara Valley in 1964. They had two children: David and Margaret. Thomas worked for many years at Lockheed Aerospace as an engineer.

He was faithful in the Catholic church and enjoyed his Friday morning coffee meetings with his other retired Lockheed engineer friends. He was always optimistic, kind and loved by his family and friends.

He is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 62 years, son David Franklin of Cole Camp, daughter Margaret Franklin of Saratoga, CA, his sister Virginia Shrader, a brother-in-law, James Monahan and Bonnie of Cole Camp, a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Theroff and Ivan of McClough, KS, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by sister Leona Hon and brother Charles H. Franklin Jr.

Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2015, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sedalia with Father Mark Miller officiating.  Burial will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Cole Camp with military honors by the American Legion Post No. 305, Cole Camp.