Mr. Leon C. Franklin

 Leon Charles Franklin, aged 66, was born on June 28th, 1956 in Seattle, Washington and passed away January 1st, 2023 in Overland Park, KS.

He was raised in Humboldt, KS, Leon, affectionately known as Chuck, Frink, and his most favorite, Ipaw, was baptized  at Poplar Grove Baptist Church and a member of the choir.

Chuck lettered in Track, Football, and Basketball at Humboldt High School. He earned a track scholarship to Allen County Community College before transferring to Emporia State University majoring in Psychology, becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and ultimately earning his masters in Multicultural Education from Kansas State University. While at Emporia, he became a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity on December 10th, 1977 with the Untouchable Line.

Leon was a beloved social worker for nearly 40 years, working with the Kauffman Foundation, Project Choice, Niles Home for Children and Swope Health Services. In recent years, he was a member of the Kansas City Police Department Crisis Intervention Team.

Leon recently celebrated 30 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Nancy. They reared and loved  their  three daughters, Angela (Dwayne) Harmon of Kansas  City, MO, Alease (Justin) Austin of Overland Park, KS, and Andrea Franklin of Shawnee, KS. Leon was the proud Ipaw to five grandchildren: Daven, Amya, David, Hudson, and Harper. He also had three beloved granddogs: Leyla, Brooks, and Lola. He leaves behind his beloved Aunt Charlotte Goodseal and Special Cousin Chanda Franklin along with his siblings Terry Franklin (Karen) of Topeka, Ks, Troy Henderson of Dallas, Tx, Eric Henderson of Savannah, GA, Eva Ramona Henderson Smith of Kansas City, Mo. and Larry Boykin of Seattle, WA. Leon also leaves his loving In-Laws, Candace Chivis-Petty of West Bloomfield, MI and Monte Chivis of Grand Rapids, MI.

Dad- You will be sorely missed. Your love for others, your laugh, and storytelling were truly one of a kind. Heaven is a better place with you in it. We’ll be together again someday. We love you, always.

Chuck- Thank you for loving me and always being there. I’ll see you again one day. Love you forever! Nanci

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023, 10am at St. Augustine Episcopal Church 2732 Benton Blvd KCMO. Entombment in Johnson County Memorial Gardens, Overland Park, Ks.  Visitation will be from 9am-10am at the church. Service conducted by Watkins Heritage Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. Leon C. Franklin, please visit our floral store.