Loranza L. Franklin passed away at Heritage Village Nursing Home in Holdenville, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at the age of 97 years.

Friends are welcome to visitation and viewing on Thursday, January 22, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Final disposition and interment will be in Abilene, Texas.

Loranza was the son of James L. & Maggie Franklin, born on May 2, 1917, in Stanford, Texas. He was brought up and attended schools in the Abilene area. He joined the U.S. Army in January, 1941, just in time for the beginning of World War II, and was gravely wounded and honorably discharged in the middle of the war, in August of 1943. He returned home to Abilene and, no longer able to work, took up painting and became an accomplished and very talented artist.

Loranza moved to Holdenville in 1980. He was a familiar sight strolling Main Street or Broadway, and over the years became well known in the community through his artwork, and his involvement in the local American Legion post. Among his artistic creations were a gigantic peanut and an equally large catfish, symbols of Holdenville's annual parades. He was also a gifted painter, and the vast majority of his paintings reflected his deep love of country, as did his dedication to the American Legion. From sweeping floors and helping out in the kitchen to serving in dress uniform for American Legion Rites at funerals of fellow veterans, Loranza could be counted on to help wherever he was needed. For many years he enjoyed an annual trip in the summer to Baptist Cowboy Camp in Texas, where he also found every opportunity to assist wherever possible. He was a regular at the Holdenville Senior Citizens Center, where there was always a good meal and a good game of dominoes. For the past eleven years, Heritage Village has been home to Loranza, where he could be found always cheerful, always smiling, with never a complaint.

He was a Patriot and a good man, and he will be missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James & Maggie Franklin; three brothers: Roy Franklin, James Franklin, Hubert Franklin; one sister, Dinzil Stout.

He is survived by two sisters, Juanita Brunner of Yuba City, California and Jennie May McClellan of Prosper, Texas; twelve nieces and nephews; numerous great nieces and great nephews; various other relatives and many, many friends.