Tyrus Franklin

Tyrus R. “Ty” Franklin, a resident of Washington, IL, passed away at 2:45 pm, Wednesday, December 24, 2014, at the age of 90 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL. Ty was born September 14, 1924, in Vermillion County to Arch and Ola (Akeman) Franklin. He married H. Norma Perry in Decatur, IL, on September 1, 1950. He is survived by one daughter, Toni (Robert T.) Henry of Sulphur, LA, and one grandson Nicholas Franklin (Kristen) Stodd of Covington, LA. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, H. Norma Franklin on October 3, 2012, his parents and two sisters, Roberta Franklin and Roxanna Franklin Talbott of Potomac, IL. Ty graduated from Potomac High School where he had many athletic achievements, including being offered a professional baseball contract with the Washington Senators in 1949. Ty honorably served his country in the Pacific Islands in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Upon being honorably discharged after his three year service he proceeded to earn a Bachelors degree from Eureka College, a Masters degree from the University of Illinois, and completed many hours of work toward his Doctoral degree at Illinois State University. Ty began his coaching and teaching career at Ogden High School from 1949-1951. Followed by six years at Potomac High School, before joining the original staff of Richwoods High School, during which time he had many accomplishments before retiring in 1984; three times nominated for Athletic Director of the Year from District #10, Awarded Athletic Director of the Year for the State of Illinois in 1978, State nominee of the National High School Athletic Director of the Year in 1979, Inducted into the State Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame in 1985, Inducted into both the IL Basketball Hall of Fame and the Eureka College Hall of Fame in 1985, State Nominee for National High School Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1980, Selected Baseball Coach of the Year from District #10 in 1984, Inducted into the IL State Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame 1981, IL State nominee by the Illinois Coaches Association for National Baseball Coach of the Year for 1984-85, Recipient of 1978 Tri-county Sports Figure Award for the Peoria Area. The family of Ty Franklin wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Tys many wonderful neighbors, special friends, fellow teachers and coaches, and the staff and residents of The Grand Victorian Assisted Living Facility of Washington, IL, for all their assistance, support, and love. Also, to all of Coachs former cross-country, baseball, and basketball players, fellow coaches, and officials, many thanks for all the years of enjoyment you provided over his lengthy career. To the students and athletes with whom he had contact, please know he experienced much joy watching each and every one of you grow in life and to be successful in both your chosen professions as well as in your personal lives. For those of you who have remained in contact with Ty since his retirement, you are well aware that to his last breath, he remembered each of you, your families, and achievements. Please know he loved each and every one of you! Coach Franklin was, indeed, a competitive spirit, and loved nothing more than a good “Win”, but to have had each and every one of you in his life (Win or Loss) meant more to him than anything life could offer. His relationships with each of you gave him a true sense of purpose to his journey here on earth. A celebration of life graveside service for Ty will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at 11:00 am at the Potomac Cemetery in Potomac, Illinois, with John C. Alexander officiating. In lieu of flowers, it is the request of the family that memorials are made to the “Coach Ty Franklin Athletic Scholarship Fund”, to the attention of Athletic Director, Richwoods High School, 6301 N. University Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville are in charge of arrangements. Please join Tys family in sharing photos, videos and memories of him through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com