Meet B.J. Franklin.
By Todd Wood | Homepage, May/June 2009
A Pooler resident of five years now, Franklin is a modest man who has
dawned many hats over the years. From the Marine Corps to owning billiards
parlors and restaurants near the Outerbanks in North Carolina, Franklin’s
accomplishments and hobbies are many.
Since moving to Pooler in 2004, he has enjoyed a retired life, as many of
Southerners do, on local courses honing his golf game. That is, until
recently.
“I haven’t been on the course in three months,“ says Franklin. “Golfing is
kind of like having a job,” he joked.
Originally hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Franklin has recently
taken time away from the course to hone a passion that started for him
almost 24 years ago - music.
“I’ve been playing and writing a lot of music with a local band,” he
excused for not hitting the links during one of the nicest springs South
Georgia has seen in some while.
As a member of the This-N-That Band, Franklin and the four-piece ensemble
put on free shows at several local nursing homes, senior centers, churches
and even a prison. While at the Springfield Prison, they even played some
Johnny Cash songs just as Cash had at Folsom Prison over 40 years ago.
“We’ll play for anyone who calls and wants us to play,” says Franklin. “We
have written a lot of our own music, and it’s just a joy to be able to go
out and perform it for people.”
Franklin first picked up a guitar when he was 42, and ever since has been
inspired to play and write all kinds of music. Now, his passion for guitar
goes hand-in-hand with his part time job at Randy Wood Guitars in
Bloomingdale.
At Wood’s shop, Franklin handles the retail side of the business, selling
guitars, ordering parts and greeting customers with a friendly smile. He
also Mcs the frequent concerts put on at the shop.
And, as if that wasn’t enough to occupy a retiree’s time, Franklin has
much more on his plate. He is a third degree Tae Kwon Do blackbelt, and
though he hasn’t practiced his martial arts lately, you get the feeling
that he’d be able to pick right back up.
He’s also accomplished a feat not once, not twice, but nie times, that
most golfers never accomplish once. Franklin has had nine hole-in-ones
throughout his golfing career. “I’ve never tried for one, but I can
remember each time just trying to get the ball close to the hole,” says
Franklin. “The funny thing is that I have golfed with many guys who have
had multiple hole-in-ones also.”
Though he tries to stay out of the sand on the golf course, in the Marine
Corps, he spent a lot of his time in the sand. An avid volleyball player
and champion in the Marine Corps, Franklin also finds time to pursue his
love for the sport by training area volleyball officials for both high
school and college athletics.
Franklin’s outgoing, energetic nature is impressive in its own right. For
most, young to old, Franklin’s schedule would be overwhelming, but to him
it is a wonderful life experience happening every day.
He is happily married to his wife of 12 years, Kittie, and as you can
imagine, the two seem to jungle work and their hobbies well enough to
spend quality time together. Most recently, they returned from a 10-day
vacation in Italy.
The two reside in Pooler.
Whatever B.J. Franklin has set out to do, it seems he has accomplished his
mission, and not only that, he has helped others in accomplishing their
goals. That is why he is one of the People We Admire.
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