Franklin Delano Cosson, age 85, of DeFuniak Springs, Florida passed away Saturday, March 28, 2020. He was born September 15, 1934 in DeFuniak to James M. and Annie Bell Cosson. Franklin grew up in a large family.
At the age of 10, Franklin was a surviving victim of the Cosson Family tragedy when one of Eglin's planes malfunctioned and dropped bombs onto the Cosson family home in 1944. This tragedy caused the death of Franklin's father, brother, sister, and uncle. A piece of shrapnel cut him from kidney to kidney causing a life-long injury and a coma for an entire year following the accident. Despite this event, Franklin went on to serve his country in the Army holding no animosity towards the events that occurred that day. Franklin met his wife Frances Jean in DeFuniak Springs and they married January 31, 1952. Franklin attended Walton High School through 10th grade, and in his words, "Quit-uated.” After the death of his father in 1944, the family moved to South Florida to live and work in the orange groves. At the age of 15, he returned to DeFuniak and worked as a gas station attendant. When he was17, he lied about being flat-footed on his enrollment paperwork and served in the First Cavalry in the Army. Then he went to paratrooper school where unfortunately he broke his leg and they sent him back to the First Cavalry.
After being injured in Vietnam, Franklin returned home and became the captain of the Eagles Ark which was a commercial fishing boat used for recreational purposes. In 1973, he had to retire from Fort Rucker due to the injuries sustained during the war. Throughout his life, Franklin had many hobbies and interest. Those included buying and selling multiple tractors and large farming equipment, going to thrift stores and yard sales, deep sea fishing, farming, walking in the woods, fellowshipping at church, sorting through other people's mail whether they wanted him to or not, and providing his family with endless amounts of entertainment with his words and actions. Franklin's home was located behind his son Shawn's home, so he spent his days enjoying meals and spending time with his grandchildren, Patti, Christopher, Katie, Seana, and Isabella Cosson. In his last year, Papa enjoyed watching his great-grandson Oliver Cosson grow up. Though Papa is no longer here, his memory will live on through his family and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Frances Jean Cosson, who passed away in 2017; son, Scott A. Cosson; and two siblings, James Jr. and Winnie.
Franklin is survived by his biological and adopted children whom he loved dearly: Esther Elizabeth of Geneva, Alabama, James Franklin of Cebu, Philippines, Crystal Angela of Inverness, Florida, Shawn Cosson of DeFuniak Springs, Joanna Cosson of DeFuniak, Andrew Cosson of Zephyrhills, Florida, Dwight Franklin of Mobile Alabama, Tran Van Tu, Thim Tu, Yen Tu, Theresa Tu, Henry Tu, and William Tu all of New Orleans, Louisiana, Phuoc Tran and family of Watertown, Massachusetts, Cay Tran and family of Pensacola, Florida, Vinh Tran and family of Katy, Texas, and Tuyet Tran of Worcester, Massachusetts; numerous grandchildren and grandchildren; and brother, William Thomas Cosson.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, April 1, 2020 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Pleasant Ridge Church Cemetery, 1015 Pleasant Ridge Road, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435 with Reverend Tim Burnham officiating.
Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home.
Services
GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Wednesday
April 1, 2020
11:00 AM
Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery
1015 Pleasant Ridge Road
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Send Flowers to Franklin's Graveside Service
Guaranteed delivery before the Graveside Service begins
At the age of 10, Franklin was a surviving victim of the Cosson Family tragedy when one of Eglin's planes malfunctioned and dropped bombs onto the Cosson family home in 1944. This tragedy caused the death of Franklin's father, brother, sister, and uncle. A piece of shrapnel cut him from kidney to kidney causing a life-long injury and a coma for an entire year following the accident. Despite this event, Franklin went on to serve his country in the Army holding no animosity towards the events that occurred that day. Franklin met his wife Frances Jean in DeFuniak Springs and they married January 31, 1952. Franklin attended Walton High School through 10th grade, and in his words, "Quit-uated.” After the death of his father in 1944, the family moved to South Florida to live and work in the orange groves. At the age of 15, he returned to DeFuniak and worked as a gas station attendant. When he was17, he lied about being flat-footed on his enrollment paperwork and served in the First Cavalry in the Army. Then he went to paratrooper school where unfortunately he broke his leg and they sent him back to the First Cavalry.
After being injured in Vietnam, Franklin returned home and became the captain of the Eagles Ark which was a commercial fishing boat used for recreational purposes. In 1973, he had to retire from Fort Rucker due to the injuries sustained during the war. Throughout his life, Franklin had many hobbies and interest. Those included buying and selling multiple tractors and large farming equipment, going to thrift stores and yard sales, deep sea fishing, farming, walking in the woods, fellowshipping at church, sorting through other people's mail whether they wanted him to or not, and providing his family with endless amounts of entertainment with his words and actions. Franklin's home was located behind his son Shawn's home, so he spent his days enjoying meals and spending time with his grandchildren, Patti, Christopher, Katie, Seana, and Isabella Cosson. In his last year, Papa enjoyed watching his great-grandson Oliver Cosson grow up. Though Papa is no longer here, his memory will live on through his family and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Frances Jean Cosson, who passed away in 2017; son, Scott A. Cosson; and two siblings, James Jr. and Winnie.
Franklin is survived by his biological and adopted children whom he loved dearly: Esther Elizabeth of Geneva, Alabama, James Franklin of Cebu, Philippines, Crystal Angela of Inverness, Florida, Shawn Cosson of DeFuniak Springs, Joanna Cosson of DeFuniak, Andrew Cosson of Zephyrhills, Florida, Dwight Franklin of Mobile Alabama, Tran Van Tu, Thim Tu, Yen Tu, Theresa Tu, Henry Tu, and William Tu all of New Orleans, Louisiana, Phuoc Tran and family of Watertown, Massachusetts, Cay Tran and family of Pensacola, Florida, Vinh Tran and family of Katy, Texas, and Tuyet Tran of Worcester, Massachusetts; numerous grandchildren and grandchildren; and brother, William Thomas Cosson.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, April 1, 2020 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Pleasant Ridge Church Cemetery, 1015 Pleasant Ridge Road, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435 with Reverend Tim Burnham officiating.
Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home.
Services
GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Wednesday
April 1, 2020
11:00 AM
Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery
1015 Pleasant Ridge Road
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Send Flowers to Franklin's Graveside Service
Guaranteed delivery before the Graveside Service begins
Franklin Delano Cosson, age 85, of DeFuniak Springs, Florida passed away Saturday, March 28, 2020. He was born September 15, 1934 in DeFuniak to James M. and Annie Bell Cosson. Franklin grew up in a large family.
At the age of 10, Franklin was a surviving victim of the Cosson Family tragedy when one of Eglin's planes malfunctioned and dropped bombs onto the Cosson family home in 1944. This tragedy caused the death of Franklin's father, brother, sister, and uncle. A piece of shrapnel cut him from kidney to kidney causing a life-long injury and a coma for an entire year following the accident. Despite this event, Franklin went on to serve his country in the Army holding no animosity towards the events that occurred that day. Franklin met his wife Frances Jean in DeFuniak Springs and they married January 31, 1952. Franklin attended Walton High School through 10th grade, and in his words, "Quit-uated.” After the death of his father in 1944, the family moved to South Florida to live and work in the orange groves. At the age of 15, he returned to DeFuniak and worked as a gas station attendant. When he was17, he lied about being flat-footed on his enrollment paperwork and served in the First Cavalry in the Army. Then he went to paratrooper school where unfortunately he broke his leg and they sent him back to the First Cavalry.
After being injured in Vietnam, Franklin returned home and became the captain of the Eagles Ark which was a commercial fishing boat used for recreational purposes. In 1973, he had to retire from Fort Rucker due to the injuries sustained during the war. Throughout his life, Franklin had many hobbies and interest. Those included buying and selling multiple tractors and large farming equipment, going to thrift stores and yard sales, deep sea fishing, farming, walking in the woods, fellowshipping at church, sorting through other people's mail whether they wanted him to or not, and providing his family with endless amounts of entertainment with his words and actions. Franklin's home was located behind his son Shawn's home, so he spent his days enjoying meals and spending time with his grandchildren, Patti, Christopher, Katie, Seana, and Isabella Cosson. In his last year, Papa enjoyed watching his great-grandson Oliver Cosson grow up. Though Papa is no longer here, his memory will live on through his family and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Frances Jean Cosson, who passed away in 2017; son, Scott A. Cosson; and two siblings, James Jr. and Winnie.
Franklin is survived by his biological and adopted children whom he loved dearly: Esther Elizabeth of Geneva, Alabama, James Franklin of Cebu, Philippines, Crystal Angela of Inverness, Florida, Shawn Cosson of DeFuniak Springs, Joanna Cosson of DeFuniak, Andrew Cosson of Zephyrhills, Florida, Dwight Franklin of Mobile Alabama, Tran Van Tu, Thim Tu, Yen Tu, Theresa Tu, Henry Tu, and William Tu all of New Orleans, Louisiana, Phuoc Tran and family of Watertown, Massachusetts, Cay Tran and family of Pensacola, Florida, Vinh Tran and family of Katy, Texas, and Tuyet Tran of Worcester, Massachusetts; numerous grandchildren and grandchildren; and brother, William Thomas Cosson.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, April 1, 2020 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Pleasant Ridge Church Cemetery, 1015 Pleasant Ridge Road, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435 with Reverend Tim Burnham officiating.
Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home.
Services
GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Wednesday
April 1, 2020
11:00 AM
Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery
1015 Pleasant Ridge Road
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Send Flowers to Franklin's Graveside Service
Guaranteed delivery before the Graveside Service begins
At the age of 10, Franklin was a surviving victim of the Cosson Family tragedy when one of Eglin's planes malfunctioned and dropped bombs onto the Cosson family home in 1944. This tragedy caused the death of Franklin's father, brother, sister, and uncle. A piece of shrapnel cut him from kidney to kidney causing a life-long injury and a coma for an entire year following the accident. Despite this event, Franklin went on to serve his country in the Army holding no animosity towards the events that occurred that day. Franklin met his wife Frances Jean in DeFuniak Springs and they married January 31, 1952. Franklin attended Walton High School through 10th grade, and in his words, "Quit-uated.” After the death of his father in 1944, the family moved to South Florida to live and work in the orange groves. At the age of 15, he returned to DeFuniak and worked as a gas station attendant. When he was17, he lied about being flat-footed on his enrollment paperwork and served in the First Cavalry in the Army. Then he went to paratrooper school where unfortunately he broke his leg and they sent him back to the First Cavalry.
After being injured in Vietnam, Franklin returned home and became the captain of the Eagles Ark which was a commercial fishing boat used for recreational purposes. In 1973, he had to retire from Fort Rucker due to the injuries sustained during the war. Throughout his life, Franklin had many hobbies and interest. Those included buying and selling multiple tractors and large farming equipment, going to thrift stores and yard sales, deep sea fishing, farming, walking in the woods, fellowshipping at church, sorting through other people's mail whether they wanted him to or not, and providing his family with endless amounts of entertainment with his words and actions. Franklin's home was located behind his son Shawn's home, so he spent his days enjoying meals and spending time with his grandchildren, Patti, Christopher, Katie, Seana, and Isabella Cosson. In his last year, Papa enjoyed watching his great-grandson Oliver Cosson grow up. Though Papa is no longer here, his memory will live on through his family and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Frances Jean Cosson, who passed away in 2017; son, Scott A. Cosson; and two siblings, James Jr. and Winnie.
Franklin is survived by his biological and adopted children whom he loved dearly: Esther Elizabeth of Geneva, Alabama, James Franklin of Cebu, Philippines, Crystal Angela of Inverness, Florida, Shawn Cosson of DeFuniak Springs, Joanna Cosson of DeFuniak, Andrew Cosson of Zephyrhills, Florida, Dwight Franklin of Mobile Alabama, Tran Van Tu, Thim Tu, Yen Tu, Theresa Tu, Henry Tu, and William Tu all of New Orleans, Louisiana, Phuoc Tran and family of Watertown, Massachusetts, Cay Tran and family of Pensacola, Florida, Vinh Tran and family of Katy, Texas, and Tuyet Tran of Worcester, Massachusetts; numerous grandchildren and grandchildren; and brother, William Thomas Cosson.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, April 1, 2020 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Pleasant Ridge Church Cemetery, 1015 Pleasant Ridge Road, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435 with Reverend Tim Burnham officiating.
Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home.
Services
GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Wednesday
April 1, 2020
11:00 AM
Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery
1015 Pleasant Ridge Road
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Send Flowers to Franklin's Graveside Service
Guaranteed delivery before the Graveside Service begins
Family Members
Siblings
Half Siblings
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Emmett Turner Cosson
1910–1961
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James Edward Cosson
1914–1976
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Lizzie Belle Reddick Johnson
1915–1991
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Leo Cosson Williams
1916–2000
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Jimmie Inez Reddick Waltermire
1918–1998
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Thomas Wesley "Tommy" Cosson
1919–1997
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Gus Cosson
1921–1997
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Dorothy Jean Reddick Finch
1923–1994
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Mary Lillie Cosson Hall
1924–2017
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Doris Linda Reddick Ruffner
1924–1985
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Lottie Lou Reddick Tims
1927–2017
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