"Doc" Franklin

IN LOVING MEMORY
Edward "Doc" Franklin
11/10/1937 - 7/2/2006
Founder of the Images of the King Contest

A Word from Michael and Bobbie Hoover

We originally met Doc in 1987. From that point forward he became our mentor and we loved him like he was our family. Doc was a wonderful man and really made the modern ETA community both a possibility and a reality. None of us would be here today doing what we love doing if not for Doc Franklin. The wonderful contest we all get to participate in every year, the wonderful community and fellowship which we all partake of in annually...none of this would be possible without the tireless work of Doc Franklin througout the years. Our deepest personal condolences go out to his wonderful wife Jackie who worked with Doc for the Images of the King Contest all these years. Our deepest condolences go out to all his family - we know you will miss him deeply.

Doc, you are gone but you are certainly not forgotten and we'll make sure your legacy lives on for many years to come as we continue your work at the Images of the King Contest.

We are putting together a scrapbook of photo and memories of Doc to present to his wife Jackie at the 2006 Images of the King Contest. Please mail your photos, memories, or other scrapbook items to:

Images of the King 2006 PO Box 98 Garrisonville, VA 22463

If you have something you can email, please

From the "Memphis Commercial Appeal"

DR. EDWARD OCTAVE FRANKLIN, died Sunday, July 2, 2006, at his home in Southaven, MS. He was born in Memphis, TN, November 10, 1937, to C.O. Franklin and Louise English Franklin. He was a Catholic. He was a graduate of Christian Brothers High School class of 1955, attended the University of Tennessee Knoxville for pre-veterinary courses and graduated from Auburn University Veterinary School of medicine. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army from 1962-1964 and completed a law degree while serving his tour of duty. He practiced Veterinary medicine at Raines Road Animal Clinic in Whitehaven and DeSoto County Animal Clinic in Southaven. His varied business interests included founding Passport Inns Motel chain, Bad Bob's Saloon, The Waterhole Lounge, and The Vapors Supper Club. He was a pioneer in the revitalization of Beale Street in the 1980's with the management of the New Daisy Theater, The Good Tymes Dinner Theater, and Proud Mary's. In 1987, he began the 'Images of the King' International Elvis Impersonator Contest, held annually in Memphis during Elvis Week. He has been the subject of numerous documentaries and articles for his role in the development of the Elvis Impersonator genre. As an actor, he had a recurring role in the 1990's television series, "Elvis, the Early Years." Always interested in politics, Dr. Franklin was an effective fundraiser and campaigner for numerous national, state, and local races. He was appointed by Governor Ronnie Musgrove to serve on the Mississippi Healthcare Trust Fund Commission. He served on the Memphis Auditorium Commission and the Memphis and Shelby County Port Commission. He was also appointed to the Public Service Council of the State of Tennessee. As an early promoter of tourism in DeSoto County, he founded the DeSoto County Tourism Association and served as Chairman of the Convention and Visitors Board, overseeing the construction of the DeSoto Civic Center. At the time of his death, he served on the Board of Directors for the DeSoto County Bank. He was a member of the American Legion - Hugh Dancy Post, the American Veterinary Association, the UT-Martin Skyhawks Club, and the Knights of Columbus. He leaves his wife of 26 years, Jackie Franklin, of Southaven; four sons, Dr. Arthur Franklin, Michael Franklin, and Curt Franklin, all of Memphis, and Brandon Raines of Water Valley, Mississippi; three daughters, Beth Franklin Price of Memphis, Phyllis Franklin Knose of Germantown, and Ann Franklin Pitts of Southaven; and 11 grandchildren; two sisters, Peggy Fullman of Memphis, and Betty Franklin of Germantown; a brother, Calvin Franklin; and an aunt, Mildred Herring of Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Jane Schneider Franklin; and his sisters: Claire Cogbill, Rose Parry, and Claudia Colbert. Memorial services will be Friday, July 7 at 10 a.m., at Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home in Southaven, MS with visitation on Thursday, July 6 from 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi in Hernando, MS, or to the American Heart Association. Twin Oaks Funeral Home 662-349-9720 Published in The Commercial Appeal on 7/4/2006.

Click here to view and sign the guestbook at the Commercial Appeal