Lewis Edward "Ed" Franklin, Jr.

Arden- Lewis Edward “Ed” Franklin Jr., 91, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025 in Hendersonville. Born in Asheville March 7, 1934 to Lewis Edward Franklin and Mana Ellen Holler, he was a lifelong resident of Asheville.

Ed was an Army veteran of the Korean War and played on the Army basketball team while stationed in Alaska. Continuing his desire to serve, Ed then joined the Asheville Fire Department. Afterwards he worked for the U.S. Post Office as a letter carrier.

He opened his first outdoor sporting goods store on the Swannanoa River – and later would go on to expand that store into what became Franklin’s Outdoor Sports on Haywood Road. While his children competed nationally in BMX racing, Ed raced as well.

He enjoyed shag dancing and was a member of the Asheville Shag Club. And long after he was unable to play golf, he continued to be a golf enthusiast to the end. And in the later part of his life Ed became a talented painter of wildlife and landscapes. He delighted in making people smile with a tall tale or a quip.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents and sister Geraldine Israel. He is survived by his daughter Paige Franklin, son Ross Franklin and spouse Amanda Franklin, his grandchildren Taylor and Lexi Franklin and his nieces Susan Israel and Janice Brown. His family will hold a private celebration of life service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.