Bruce Rowe Franklin, son of Adren McClung Crawford (Lip) and Willie Lee Paul Crawford, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, May 2, 2023 at Twilight Nursing Home in Corsicana, TX.

Bruce was born on January 7, 1954, was a life-long resident of Kerens, TX and a member of the United Methodist Church of Kerens. He was a member of the United States Marine Corps and served his country from September 1973 to November 1979.

Following his Marine Corps service, Bruce worked at several different companies before going to work for Texas Utilities at the Big Brown Power Plant in Fairfield for 20 years. When not at work, he enjoyed cattle ranching at the family farm in Rural Shade.

In his later years, Bruce worked for the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier. He retired from the post office in January 2017. He enjoyed retirement with weekly poker games, visits to the American Legion, traveling with "the lovely Mrs. Franklin", and spending quality time with his family.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Adren Crawford and Willie Lee Crawford of Kerens, TX and brother, Stacy Crawford of Kerens, TX.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie Franklin of Kerens, TX; daughter, Kelly Sides of Whitehouse, TX; daughter, Carrie Vasquez and husband, Freddie Vasquez of Forney, TX; son, Chris Franklin and family of Ft. Smith, AR; grandchildren, Bailee Jo Anderton and husband, Tristan Anderton of the Woodlands, TX; Kaitlyn Sides of Lubbock, TX; Abigail Vasquez and Fred Rowe Vasquez of Forney, TX; sister, Cathy Bowman and husband Mike Bowman of Kerens, TX; sister Lee Ann Haury of Houston, TX; sister-in-law, Darla Crawford of Kerens, TX and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at 1:00pm, Monday, May 8, 2023 at Kerens Methodist Church. Funeral Service is scheduled for 2:00pm following visitation. Burial will follow in Kerens Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Bruce's pallbearers: Russ Crawford, Rickie Holloway, Kenneth Parr, Jeremy Spicer, Lynn Statham, and Brandon Payne. The family would all like to thank the staff at Twilight Home Nursing & Rehab Center and the staff from Bristol Pathways Hospice for their continuous compassion and attentiveness to Bruce these last few weeks.

Arrangements by Paschal Funeral Home 903-396-2371