On September 21, 2021, Franklin Boyd Jones of Delavan, WI, loving husband and father of three, died of COVID-19 at the age of 81. He lived a full life and, while soft spoken, made an impact on everyone he encountered. Born in his home, he was the first of 7 born to John Franklin and Agnes Boyd Jones in Gillett township, on January 8, 1940. Franklin was raised on a farm where he was instilled with the traits that would serve him throughout his life. In high school, while playing basketball, he met what would be “the love of his life” who was cheerleading for his rival team.
At the age of 19, on November 28, 1959 they would marry and be by each other’s side for the next 62 years. They moved to Madison where they had their first son Scott and, with the help of Joan, he would earn a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison on January 26, 1963
After graduation Frank worked for Trane Company in LaCrosse, WI where they had two more boys Gregory and Stephen. After leaving LaCrosse, he worked for Gehl Bros in West Bend and in 1967 they would set down roots in Delavan where he worked for Sta-Rite and was part of the team that created multiple innovations like a moving platform for milking cows that increased efficiency. A desire to make his own mark in the business world drove him to acquire and run Lloyd's Sheet Metal where because of his talents, kindness, ingenuity, and helpfulness was able to run it successfully for 18 years. He approached everything with an engineer’s mind – determined and methodical – creating customized solutions, building everything in the shop, and working long hours. It was during these years that he instilled his work ethic and talents to his boys giving them the “opportunity” to work on Saturdays and summers at an initial rate of $0.50 an hour while other kids had a more leisurely day. It is because of Frank his boys were able to pay for college and earn degrees. They still utilize the skills he taught them.
A bad heart began to limit his endurance and forced him to selling the shop and ultimately retire. In 1993 he became a candidate for and was blessed with a transplanted heart. The same determination he had on the farm, showed in college, and demonstrated in business served him well because, with the wonderful support of his University Hospital heart transplant team, he lived another 28 years.
He was active in the community serving as a little league coach for the Inlet Indians, member of the Delavan Lions Club, Delavan Township Supervisor, and on the Township Zoning Commission for many years. He also served as a substitute member of the Walworth Co Board of Adjustment and was active in the Delavan United Methodist Church serving on the Pastor Parish Relations Comm, Building Comm and Ushering Committee.
His interests were varied. He loved music, teaching himself to play the guitar and key board and singing with the Country Gentlemen Barber Shop Chorus. He built beautiful furniture for family and friends and when his attention turned to sailing, he studied how and off he went.
He digested books on the Civil War, the first and second World Wars, and the thriller novels of Tom Clancy. As his eyesight began to fail he just resorted to bigger print - never complaining, always adjusting. When he wanted to see the country, he purchased a 5th wheel and experienced the US through various campgrounds. “You can take the boy out of the farm but you can’t take the farm out of the boy” he would say. Every summer he would look forward to planting a garden, trying to grow fruit trees, and raising honey bees so he could have honey on his morning cereal.
Franklin was preceded in death by his parents, J. Franklin Jones and Agnes (Boyd) Jones; brother, Dale, brothers-in-law John, Russell, Bill, Frank, Neil; sisters-in-law Lynn, and Marlene; mother-in-law, Evelyn (Kopatz) Nelson; and father-in-law, Fred Nelson. He is survived by wife Joan, his three sons, Scott & wife Ida, Gregory & wife Sara, and Stephen & partner Judy, his sisters Rita (George), Faye (Don), and Joy, his brothers Kurt (Elizabeth) and Todd (Roxanne),sisters-in-law Jenevie, Loretta, Charlette, and brother-in-law David. Also, four grandchildren Zachariah, Alexander, Jordyn, and Alison, and a great granddaughter, on the way.
*****UPDATE****** A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Delavan United Methodist Church, 213 S. 2nd Street in Delavan. Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. until the time of the service on Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, please memorialize Frank by making a contribution to the Lion’s Eye Bank of Wisconsin, lebw.org
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