Obituaries

Carl James Franklin, Jr. of Martinsville, Virginia passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2025. He was born on July 24, 1958 in Norman Oklahoma to Carl James Franklin, Sr., and Bonnie Long Franklin, both deceased. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Stacey Nicole Franklin (2010). He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Mr. Franklin started out as a Police Officer for the Oklahoma City Police Department from 1979 to 1984. He then attended the University of Oklahoma Law School and graduated in 1988 with a Juris Doctorate Degree. As soon as he graduated, he opened his own law practice which he owned until 1997. He began teaching at a local community college and fell in love with teaching, so he changed his career to education and became a Professor of Criminal Justice with an emphasis on the Constitution at Southern Utah University. He has authored more than 13 books and written multiple articles throughout his career.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Deborah K. Franklin; his sons, Christopher Alan Franklin and wife Kristine, and Michael Sean Franklin and wife Abby Procione; as well as his grandchildren, Zachery Joseph and Vivian Nicole Franklin.

Norris Funeral Services, Inc. & Crematory, is serving the Franklin family.