John Leonard Franklin, M.D.

John Leonard Franklin, MD, 41, of Kingsport, Tennessee, passed away suddenly on August 5, 2010. He was born on November 5, 1968, in Tallahassee, Florida, and was the son of Jo Linda Wilson and Dan E. Wilson and the son of the late Jack Franklin. He grew up in Trenton, Florida, and graduated from Chiefland High School, where he was quarterback of the football team. John always dreamed of becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon.

After high school, he attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. Upon graduation, he entered the University of Florida's PIMS Program in Medical Sciences Program in Tallahassee, Florida, for 1 year and then completed his medical degree with honors at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. While pursuing his medical degree, he was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the only national honor medical society. He completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Shands at the University of Florida and went on to become a specialist in shoulder and elbow reconstruction.

In 1990, John met his future wife, Lauren Brenci, who was a biology student from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, while attending Florida State University. They completed medical school together at the University of Florida and wed in Gainesville, Florida, on December 18, 1993. For the past 5 years the Franklins have resided in Kingsport, Tennessee, with their three sons.

John was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hiking, mountain biking, hunting, camping, skiing, fishing, and scuba diving. He also studied the art of Jiu Jitsu for many years. He had a passion for learning and always researched different topics to expand his knowledge. He was a true student of life and a devoted husband and father who had a great sense of humor.

John is survived by his wife Lauren Franklin and three sons Max, 9, Daniel, 6, and John Luke, 4 months, of Kingsport, Tennessee; parents Dan and Jo Linda Wilson of Trenton, Florida; siblings Julie Pfluke and husband Paul of Enterprise, Alabama, Ben Wilson and partner Tommy Owen of Atlanta, Georgia, and Lorianna Wilson and partner Celine Hertz of Tallahassee, Florida; and many other family members and dear friends, including Mark Lawrence of Kingsport, Tennessee, and Tim Franklin of Jacksonville, Florida.

John was preceded in death by his beloved grandmother Gladys Allen and grandparents Leonard Allen and J.L. and Flossie Wilson, all of Trenton, Florida.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday August 21st at The Spring House Lodge at Otter Springs 6470 S.W. 80th Ave. Trenton, FL. 32693 Admittance to park free for the memorial service

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the University of Florida Foundation, Inc., 2012 West University Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32604-2425. Please designate funds to be used for the Franklin Sarcoma Research Fund in honor of John's mother.