Eric William Franklin

Eric William Franklin was born January 2, 1949 in Los Angeles, California to parents, Ressie & Benjamin Franklin.

 Eric attended and graduated from Annunciation Catholic High School in Denver, Colorado. Ever since his teenage years, he loved to sing and was very good at it. He had his own singing group and participated in multiple competitions.

Eric met his future wife, Lydia B. Johnson, in 1970. It was only 3 years later, in 1973, that they were married. To this union was born their daughter, Nkechi Franklin, and their son, Tafhari Franklin.

In 1974, Eric gave his life to Christ. In 1977, Eric moved his family to California where he started a family cleaning business. Eric and Lydia joined The Christian Life Church in Santa Rosa, California and they loved attending services together. It was at this church that Eric renewed his passion for singing.

In 2003, Eric and his sister, Debra, moved to Portland, Oregon. Eric quickly joined the Victory Outreach worship team. Eric loved worshipping the Lord! Pastor Max gave him the nickname, ‘Nat King Cole’!

Eric is preceded in death by his mother, Ressie Franklin, and his father, Benjamin Franklin.

Eric is survived by his ex-wife, Lydia Franklin; sisters, Debra Mayfield, Karen Lewis, Retha Hickman, and Reva Benson; daughter, Nkechi Franklin; and sons, Tafhari Franklin and Cordell Franklin.

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