Franklin John Pohler

Franklin John Pohler was born June, 12, 1945 in Shiner, Texas, to John F. and Emma M. Koncaba Pohler. He was raised in the Shiner, Moulton towns as well as Alta Loma and Dewalt. Franklin passed away August 6, 2013 at the age of 68 years old.
Franklin met his love, Betty, on a blind date on February 4, 1967. The arrangers were R.J. and Glennie Pohler, with Ruth and Esther. The destination was LaGrange Fair Gounds Dance Hall. Franklin was quick to pop the question of marriage and on July 22, 1967 at the McDade Baptist Church they were married. Their homes were in Stafford, Beasley and in May of 1969 a move back to McDade. Three daughters were born: Gina, Gretchen, and Krystal. Elementary school, junior high and high school, weddings, births of grandchildren and a great granddaughter, all provided Franklin a proud sense of accomplishments as the family grew.
Franklin worked for the Raymond Schindler Ranch and as a foreman for Hurricane Steel in Houston. His expert knowledge of mechanics found him employed at Lamar Tractor in Rosenberg, Gruetzner Chevrolet in Elgin, co-owner of K & D Service, and his own mechanic shop. In August 1984 he went to work for L.C.R.A., Sim Gideon Power Plant in Bastrop, as an operator and retired in June 2010 as technical support. He loved and could operate with perfection any type of heavy equipment, especially the bull dozer, loader, tractor and hay equipment. Ranching was a full time job and every animal was well taken of, many had names. An Ag teacher once said if he was a cow he would definitely want to be a part of Mr. Pohler’s herd. A school board member for 17 years, sold hot dogs, barbecue and beans, and barbecued briskets for the main meal of the Festical. Franklin and Betty were honored as Parade Marshals in 2000.

Franklin was preceded in death by: his parents, John and Emma Pohler, grandparents Anton and Angelina Koncaba, Max and Annie Pohler. Franklin is survived by: his wife of 46 years, Betty Klemm Pohler, daughters Gina Beth Griffith, Gretchen Kay Brune and husband Michael, Krystal Ann Brade and husband Matthew, all of McDade, grandchildren, Jerrett and Christy, Sarah, Aaron, Cassidy, Emily, Harley and Spencer; his great granddaughter Karlie Beth, sister, E.J. Jackson and husband Michael, brother Raymond Pohler and wife Debbie; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many wonderful friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to “The American Diabetes Association”, 9430 Research Blvd., Bldg. 2, Suite 150, Austin, TX. 78759, or McDade Baptist Church, P.O. Box 780, McDade, TX. 78650, or the McDade Watermelon Festival Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 783, McDade, TX. 78650.

Visitation Friday, August 9, 2013, 6:00- 8:00 P.M., Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home. Funeral services Saturday, August 10, 2013, 10:00 A.M., McDade Baptist Church, 198 El Paso St., McDade, TX. Burial to follow at Siloah Cemetery, Wolf Rd., McDade, TX. Brother Randall Tumlison, presiding pastor, and Fred Wilson leading singing. Willard Rother, obituary, Laurey Wolf, pianist.