LeRoy Franklin Jr.

Leroy Manford Franklin, Jr., age 29, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away Friday, April 1, 2016 at his home after a short illness.      Leroy was born December 22, 1986 at Nevada, Missouri to Leroy and Gaylene Franklin.  He grew up in Lamar, Missouri and graduated from Lamar High School in 2005.  He loved farm equipment, tractors, toys and his family.      Survivors include his dad, Leroy Franklin, Sr. of Lamar; a step grandmother, Sharon Horton of Overland Park, Kansas; a step grandfather, Jon Ardahl of Lecompton, Kansas and many aunts, uncles and cousins.      He was preceded in death by his mother Gaylene Franklin; paternal grandparents, Jessie and Laverne Franklin and maternal grandparents, Glen Horton and Judith Ardahl.      Funeral service will be 11:00 am Tuesday, April 6, 2016 at Oakton United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Oakton Cemetery.      The family will receive friends 10:00 until service time Tuesday at the church.      Contributions are suggested to Leroy Franklin Jr. Family in care of Daniel Funeral Home.