Franklin D. was born in Magoffin County, Kentucky to Dud and Ruby Mann Howard on December 14, 1936. He passed this life May 12, 2025, at the age of 88.
Franklin D. married Betty Lou Williams on November 15, 1954. They were married for 70 years. To this union were born five children: Terry Wayne (Linda) Howard, Perry Franklin (Susan) Howard, Barry James Howard, Kerry Howard, and Kimberly (Melvin) Oaks all of Mt. Sterling, KY. Franklin D. had eight grandchildren: Neal Howard, Bradley Wayne Howard, Perry Wesley Howard, Elyse Miller, Kerri Rachelle Howard, Franklin Bedford Johnson, Kaelin Nisha Ryals, and Kelley Grace Sparks and Kerri’s mother Debra Howard. He had ten great grandchildren.
Franklin D. is survived by one sister, Zettie Alice Blanton of Salyersville, KY along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Juanita Howard and Rowena Howard and a brother, James C (Bear) Howard.
“D” is what his friends affectionally call him. He was a man that wore many hats in his lifetime. He was a carpenter, farmer, cattleman, business owner and worked for the State of Kentucky Department of Transportation for 31 years and a school teacher. Franklin D. was a pioneer in embryo transfer in cattle, raising high quality Limousin cattle. He transitioned from the Limousin breed and introduced Braunvieh cattle to Kentucky. He was proudly the 794 member of the Braunvieh Cattle Association. He was a member of the Montgomery County Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association and traveled with other members to see cattle operations in many other states.
He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement from Department of Transportation. His greatest enjoyment in retirement was walking through the fields, checking on his cattle herd and watching his crops grow.He always loved feeding his family and friends and then setting around the table telling one story after another. Franklin D was an accomplished and entertaining story teller. His many life experiences gave him a great deal of material to share with family and friends in a story format.
The Funeral service was held Thursday, May 15 at 1:00 p.m. at the Elk Fork Church located at 6727 Hwy. 364, West Liberty, KY 41472.
Officiating were Ricky Howard and Chris Howard.
Pallbearers: Neal Howard, Brad Howard, Franklin Johnson, Jackson Howard, Ethan Sparks, Seth Jones.
Services entrusted to the care of Herald & Stewart Home For Funerals, 1002 Woodford Drive, Mt. Sterling, KY 40353.
