Craig Alan Franklin came into this world on January 10, 1951, in Cotulla, Texas. Craig was the first child born to Elaine Ehlert and Claude "Pudge" Franklin, Jr., so he had to blaze the trail for his three siblings who followed.  He excelled in school in Cotulla where he made great friends, played basketball and quarterbacked the football team. However, all weekends and summers were spent at the beloved Franklin family ranch in McMullen County.  Craig graduated from Cotulla High School and then attended the University of Texas in Austin.  He enjoyed many fun escapades with his lifelong friends, and he was forever a proud Longhorn!  While on a visit home from UT, he met the love of his life, Suzanne Denison. Craig and Suzanne married on January 28, 1978. They made their home on the ranch, and Craig happily lived there until he left this world on July 29, 2024.

Craig loved the ranch and thrived on ranching, running the hunting camp, and being a lawman. He was proud to serve as a McMullen County constable for more than 14 years. Most of all, he was a thoughtful, trusted, and loyal son, brother, husband, uncle and friend. Craig enjoyed nature and the outdoors - especially all the animals - cattle, horses, wildlife and pets. He truly was an animal healer and dog whisperer. Craig was a skilled craftsman with a special gift for his leather handiwork. His friends and family will miss his wry sense of humor and that grin under his mustache.

Craig is survived by his wife Eleanor Suzanne and by his siblings and their spouses - Kathy and Rick Smith, Walt and Mary Franklin, and Peggy and Lee Steinle. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Jim Denison Jr. and his wife Davey - and by many cousins & friends who are like
family. Craig's nieces and nephews and their spouses and their children will all miss him. The ranch will never be the same without him!

Services will be held on Monday August 5th at 11 am at the Hurley Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at the San Miguel Cemetery in Cross.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Judge Franklin Memorial Scholarship Fund at Simmons Bank, PO Drawer 299, Tilden TX 78072 or to San Antonio Pets Alive! at PO Box 830006, San Antonio TX 78283 or at sanantoniopetsalive.org