A celebration of life for Paul Dean Franklin will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 2:00PM in St. Matthew's Episcopal Church with Reverend Dr. John F. Toles officiating. Inurnment will follow in the St. Matthew's Columbarium. Arrangements are under the direction of Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home.

Paul Dean was born April 28, 1938, to Paul And Loris (Jackson) Franklin in Enid, Oklahoma, and died September 27, 2021, following a lengthy illness. He attended Enid public schools, graduating in 1956, and attended Oklahoma A&M (OSU), majoring in architecture, then worked for Elbert Wheeler in Enid. In August, 1961, he began working beside his father at Franklin Motor Company, and closed the company in August, 2001. Paul Dean joined Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance as an auto damage appraiser, where he worked from March of 2003 to March 2013.

Paul Dean married Marilyn Sturgeon in Enid, in August 1958, and added children Tim and Annette to their family. On June 28, 1986 in Enid, he married Sharon Cannon Etter and her three children, Elisa, Kristina, and Joseph.

Paul Dean was a founding member of the Playboys Car Club, established in 1956, and also a founding member of the Enid Sports Car Club, established in 1965. His love of cars led him to SCCA road racing, SoloII/Autocross, and an SCCA Steward. He and Sharon enjoyed traveling to various race tracks and SCCA activities. He enjoyed NASCAR, working in the yard, traveling with Sharon, and honing his artistic talents With drawing in pencil, colored pencil, chalk and painting with oils. His artwork can be found in homes throughout the country.

Paul Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Loris Franklin.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Sharon 'Darlin' Franklin; brothers, Ron (Gayle) Franklin of Enid; Tom (Patt) Franklin of Houston, TX; son, Tim Franklin of Enid; daughter, Annette (Greg) Baker of Enid; step-children that he said he could not have picked better, Elisa (Brian) Herron of Bixby, OK; Kris (Alan) Green of Mustang, OK; Joseph (fiance, Dana Deason) Etter of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren, Craig Franklin of Frederick; Bryce Baker of Enid; Dillon Green of Mustang; Mackenzie Green of Mustang; and Joshua Herron of Bixby.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Matthew's or Enid SPCA with Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home acting as custodian of the funds. The family would like to sincerely thank the compassionate staff of Elara Home Health and Hospice for their outstanding care of Paul Dean.