Richard Franklin

Ric was born on July 19th, 1984 in Colorado Springs, CO. Ever since he was young, his gentle nature and contagious laughter brightened the lives of everyone around him. He was the second of four children; always offering a quiet strength to his siblings and a visible passion for their growth. He displayed great talent in art, music, and sports.

His heart was of unparalleled warmth and kindness. Everyone who met him was embraced by his tenderness, razor sharp wit and encyclopedic knowledge. He loved with his whole heart and gave selflessly to others; to meet Ric was to love Ric. He called himself gentle and quiet. Among family, he would spend hours playfully bantering – the topics as unique as those with which he was sparring. His laugh and humor were truly contagious; spreading until your sides hurt, with not a dry eye in the room. His smile and hugs brightened even the greyest of days. Ric was also an avid sports fan who seemingly knew every stat about every athlete in every sport. He was a fantastic cook and ultimately took on the responsibilities of cooking for all family gatherings. Perhaps the purest distillation of who Ric was, however, can be found in his dog. Ruger’s best trick, who only someone like Ric would teach, is “give me a hug”.

Ric was the beloved son of Belinda and Ronnie; cherished younger brother of Brianna; admired older brother of Michael and Kevin; stepbrother of Ronnie II, Ian, and Zac; brother-in-law of Chelsea; adoptive brother of countless others; dear grandson of James and the late Linda Franklin; fond nephew, cousin, close friend to many, and an adored companion to Ruger.