WASHINGTON, Ill. – Tyrus R. "Ty" Franklin, 90, of Washington, Ill., passed away at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Ty was born Sept. 14, 1924, in Vermilion County to Arch and Ola (Akeman) Franklin. He married H. Norma Perry on Sept. 1, 1950, in Decatur. He is survived by a 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 Oct. 3, 2012; his parents; and two sisters, Roberta Franklin and Roxanna Franklin Talbott of Potomac.
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 bachelor's degree from Eureka College and a master's 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. This was 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: being nominated three times for Athletic Director of the Year from District #10, awarded Athletic Director of the Year for the state of Illinois in 1978, nominated for 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 state Basketball Hall of Fame and the Eureka College Hall of Fame in 1985, nominated for National High School Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1980, selected as Baseball Coach of the Year from District #10 in 1984, inducted into the state Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame 1981, nominated by the Illinois Coaches Association for National Baseball Coach of the Year for 1984-85, and receiving the 1978 Tri-county Sports Figure Award for the Peoria Area.
The family of Ty Franklin wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Ty's many wonderful neighbors, special friends, fellow teachers and coaches, and the staff and residents of The Grand Victorian Assisted Living Facility of Washington, Ill., for all their assistance, support and love.
Also, to all of Coach's 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 and 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 at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, at the Potomac Cemetery in Potomac, with John C. Alexander officiating.
In lieu of flowers, it is the request of the family that memorials be made to the "Coach Ty Franklin Athletic Scholarship Fund," to the attention of Athletic Director, Richwoods High School, 6301 N. University Ave., Peoria, IL 61614.
Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville is handling arrangements. Please join Ty's family in sharing photos, videos and memories of him through his tribute wall atwww.sunsetfuneralhome.com.
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