James Steven Franklin

August 4, 1957 - August 28, 2018

James Steven (Steve) Franklin, of Fruitland Park, Florida, retired respiratory therapist and founder of the Chocolate Lab Coffee Company, passed into eternal rest Tuesday, August 28, 2018. Born August 4, 1957 in Dover, Delaware, he was the son of James Sloan and the late Bessie Lenore Brackeen Franklin. He spent his early, formative years as a member of a US Air Force family, and subsequently developed a keen interest in travel, having traveled across the US and Europe, as well as spending 4 years working as a respiratory therapist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He loved being outdoors and was an avid sportsman, with a special interest in cycling, hunting and fishing. He was a Christian who will be remembered for his boundless faith, principles, and generous spirit; love of all things “SEC”, bluegrass music and corny jokes. Leaving behind to cherish his memory are his father, James Sloan Franklin of Fruitland Park, Florida; sister, Karen Sexton and her husband, Warren of Carthage, Tennessee; nieces, Michelle Garcia and her husband, Gregory of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Jo Zeferino and her husband, Efraim of Murfreesboro, TN; Moriah Garland of Donelson, Tennessee; and 5 great-nephews and 1 great-niece. A memorial service will be conducted at Beverly Shores Church of Christ, 1318 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Florida at 2 pm on Saturday, September 1, 2018 with minister Tommy Hagewood officiating.