Roger Allen Franklin passed away in the early hours of March 7, 2025 after a long and arduous recovery from a tractor accident.  He was 89.  He was known by those who loved him as Daddy, Grandpa, GGpa and Mr. Roger. Roger is survived by his wife of 69 years, Ruth E. Franklin, two children, Shelley Lopez (Mike) and Lori Nellist (Larry), two grandchildren, Gabriel Lopez (Ashley) and Sophia Stevens (Kwanza).  He had 4 great-grandchildren who called him GGpa, Brayden Lee Stevens, Evelyn Rose Lopez, Isobella Rose Stevens and Simone Athena Marie Stevens.  Roger was preceded in death by his parents, George G. Franklin and Leyon (Ross) Franklin, 12 Franklin siblings and 1 grandchild, Zachary Michael Lopez. He is also survived by his special friend, Shan Chen.

Roger was born October 5, 1925, the 12th of 13 children in Buffalo, NY and was raised on a dairy farm in West Seneca, NY.  At 20, he married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth E. Gowanlock on March 3, 1956.  They were married for 69 years.  He called her his bride until the day he died.  Roger worked for Arco Oil company, then Sun Oil for over 40 years driving a big rig oil tanker delivering gas to gas stations within a 300-mile radius of Buffalo, NY.  In 1962, He move his family to Hamburg, NY where he and Ruth lived for 60 years.  In 2021, the entire family moved to McMinnville, TN to be closer to New Frontiers, a camp and children’s home in Dowelltown, TN founded and operated by his daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Larry Nellist.

Roger loved Tennessee where it is warmer and where he no longer had to use his snow blower.  He loved to mow and groom lawns, plant flowers and beautify outdoor areas with nature’s beauty.  He loved his John Deere tractor.  He had several over the years.  He used them for mowing not only his yard, but several yards of widow ladies in the neighborhood and then adding his snowplow to the front of his beloved machine and taking care of Buffalo’s snow. When he moved to Tennessee he became chief lawnmower at New Frontiers, mowing for up to 8 hours twice a week.  He provided a John Deere for mowing at the camp and loved to use the big John Deere Bushhogger there to take care of large difficult areas.  

New Frontiers was a place Roger believed in.  He was fully invested in the camp work, the children’s home and the sponsoring company EDGIE Designs.  He used his own garage in McMinnville to prepare wood components for adventure courses that are built by EDGIE.  He served in the kitchen at New Frontiers feeding hundreds of kids and adults breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekends with other volunteers. For over 30 years while living in NY he actively supported New Frontiers through prayer, finances and using his building skills to help erect new buildings from the ground up.  There is not one building at New Frontiers that does not have Roger’s fingerprints on it. 

Roger also loved antique clocks.  He would find old clocks and repair, refurbish and refinish their works as well as their cabinets.  He was intrigued by clocks that chimed and found special pleasure in having many clocks chiming in his home.  Roger’s dedication to the restoration of old clocks epitomized his careful use of time and his love of intricate and beautiful things.    

Roger and Ruth were faithful attenders of Calvary Baptist Church in McMinnville.  They enjoyed fellowship and teaching under Pastor Tom Fettis.  They made special after service dinner friends, George and Kathryn Pluto.  The care and kindness of church leaders and members during Roger’s ten-month journey toward recovery after the tractor accident has been a tremendous support and comfort to both Roger and Ruth.  In the years Roger and Ruth were in Hamburg, NY they were members of First Baptist Church and then of Orchard Park Wesleyan Church where Roger and Ruth had a strong group of friends. Roger was part of the Friday Crew, a volunteer group of men and women who did routine maintenance around the campus of the Orchard Park Wesleyan Church.  Roger led a team of men who mowed the grounds.  He, of course, mowed with the JohnDeere.

Roger and Ruth were seen everywhere together.  They spent a great deal of time eating at their favorite restaurants, enjoying rides in his Silverado truck along Lake Erie, visiting family and volunteering at church.  They made trips to Ohio and to Tennessee to see their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  They were both big fans of the Buffalo Bills, holding out every year for a championship and never giving up on their team no matter how close or far they were from the goal.

Roger will be greatly missed by his wife, Ruth and his children and their spouses.  The grandchildren and great grandchildren will remember him as the tractor GGpa.  His special friends from New York, Joe Canaski, Fred Nieman and Darlene Wojtaszczyk will fondly remember him for his practicality, his wit and his common sense. His grand-dogs, Sequoia, Xena and Simba will miss his treats under the table at mealtimes and a good head rub. Presently, Roger is sharing a happy reunion with friends Ron and Elaine Sheldon and Charlie McClure who have gone on to Heaven before him.

Roger’s commitment to Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of his life was paramount.  He lived authentically by a Christian ethic and witnessed of God’s goodness whenever possible.  When situations didn’t make sense, he was known to always say, “God’s got a plan.”  His commitment to God, even after a tragic tractor accident that nearly took his life remained steadfast.  He knew God had a plan.  He also knew that Heaven was nearer each day.  Hisentrance to Heaven was peaceful and surrendered.  He leaves a legacy of service and commitment.  He was dearly loved.

A time to greet the family as well as a memorial service will be held on April 26th beginning at 1:00 pm, memorial service to be held at 2:00 pm at Calvary Baptist Church, 610 Myers Lane, McMinnville, TN.  A website has been established in Roger’s honor for those who would like to upload a picture with Roger or share a funny story or comment about Roger’s impact.  The service will also be streamed on the website.  The link is http://rogerfranklin.info.

Special thanks to Vanderbilt University Hospital, Nashville, TN, Select Specialty Hospital, Nashville, TN, Suncrest Home Health, Bronson, Laura and Carli and Gentiva Hospice Services of McMinnville, TN.  Each gave special attention and care to Roger’s recovery and his transition to Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Frontiers at 3939 Old Snow Hill Road Dowelltown, TN 37059 or at their website www.newfrontiers.org.  Donations will be used to support the camp ministries and the children’s home and to plant trees in Roger’s honor.