Clarence "Uncle Slugg" W. Franklin, Sr. was born April 18, 1932 to Columbus Sr. and Maggie Franklin in Clearview, Oklahoma. He attended Hallie Bottom School. True to his adventurous spirit and zeal for life's experiences, moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1950. In 1955, he entered matrimony with Pearline Hawkins, a beautiful union that would last 59 years. He was a faithful member and servant for The Church of The Living God Temple 94 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

Clarence was an avid outdoor sportsman and enjoyed fishing and hunting. Indeed, annual excursions with family members and close friends were dedicated to these activities (he often returned home with many "fish stories"). Professionally, he was an engineering equipment operator for Sedgwick County, Kansas for more than 32 years.

Clarence was a loving husband and father, and leaves a legacy of strength, kindness, compassion and love. He was a doting grandfather and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Clarence was a thoughtful, generous man who shared his talents, time, and bounty with all. He will be enormously cherished and greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Columbus Sr. and Maggie Franklin, son Cleophas Franklin, and brother Columbus Franklin, Jr.

Clarence is survived by his devoted wife, Pearline Franklin, and children from their union: sons Clarence Franklin, Jr. (Cheryl), Carlos Franklin (Evelyn), Craig Franklin (Samantha), all of Wichita, KS. and daughters: Debbie Slaughter (Gary), Broken Arrow, OK, and Sherri Guy (Richard), Redlands, CA., 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Prior to his union with Pearline Hawkins, Clarence had sons: Henry Celestine, Oakland, CA. C.J. Celestine, East Palo Alto, CA, and daughter Merdis Robinson, Tucson, AZ. He is also survived by other children: Larry Franklin, Brenda Sanders and Kelly Dixon, all of Wichita, KS. Donna Nichols, Atlanta, GA., brothers: Curtis Franklin and Alonzo Franklin, both of Wichita, KS., sisters: Lena Nixon, Genell Cooper (Gary), Erma Cowans, Doris Myles, and Juanita Smith, all of Wichita, KS., Kendra Franklin, Houston, TX., Naomi Barnett (Wilmer), Okmulgee, OK., and Lillian Chiles, Oklahoma City, OK., as well as a host of extended family and friends.

A Visitation will be held in the Okmulgee Chapel on Friday May 16, 2014 from 12Noon until 6PM.

Services for Mr. Franklin will be on Monday May 19, 2014 at 11AM at Church of The Living God located at 2725 N. Hillside in Wichita, Kansas.

Mr. Franklin will be laid to Rest at Old Mission Cemetery in Wichita, Kansas.