Jerry Franklin Eulogy
Andy Hughes
Jerry Franklin Eulogy
Respectfully submitted by John Cash, editor of The National Billiard
News
Jerry Franklin and I first met at a BCA National 8-Ball Championship
qualifier more than 15 years ago at Charleston Heights Liquors in Las
Vegas. We were playing in that tournament where those zany red and yellow
balls were used instead of stripes and solids. I remember this young man
with the red hair and warm smile. I also remember his wife Laurie, who
was a little bit a young woman with an engaging personality.
Jerry is gone in a physical sense now. Passed away Saturday, May 11.
Suffered a heart attack while boating on Lake Mead. Franklin was 42. Far,
far too young to take his place alongside his late peers. Laurie, too, is
way too youthful to be left only with memories on what was to be her day
Sunday. May 12 - Mothers Day. Yes, it is a very sad time for everyone who
knew and loved Jerry and Laurie Franklin, and their son, Chance.
A few years after our first meeting Jerry, the late Andy Mercer and I
were to become an integral part of Southern Nevada's first organized
newspaper for pool,On Cue. The year was 1983. All involved will remember
the first four-page issue in October of that year. (On Cue obviously is
still published by the local 9-ball association with Don Snook continuing
to handle the graphics end of the newspaper.)
Jerry then was beginning a new custom cuemaking business later to become
one of the most prestigious in the Western U.S.. Franklin was attempting
to promote his business and needed a means to better reach the pool-
playing public in the Southern Nevada area.
Jerry was never one to seek the spotlight. He was better suited to the
craft he had learned from Dave Kersenbrock, a cuemaker known for his
artistic designs around Las Vegas. The Young Franklin spent many hours
assisting Kersenbrock at his small warehouse location and gradually built
a thriving cuemaking business of his own from his home situated in the
Western portion of Las Vegas.
Many years have past since that beginning. Franklin's South West Cues
prospered. He and Laurie played in Mercer's Southern Nevada 9-Ball Tavern
Owners Association 9-Ball Leagues. After founder Mercer died in December
1990, Jerry continued his association with the leagues then jointly
operated by Lorraine Lilley and Jim Blakeman. When Jim Blakeman left and
Andy Hughes replaced him in the capacity along with Lilley, Franklin
remained as a staunch backer of the S.N.'9' B.T.O.A. as well as a
participant in their premier division. On numerous occasions Jerry played
on teams with among others - Blakeman, Ralph Ferguson, Joe Cannella, Mike
Hendrickson, Andy Hughes, George Cimini, Vince Tedesco, Al Lawrence &
nephew Mickey Bunker the latter two being co-workers at South West Cues.
These were lasting friendships for Franklin and camaraderie was to be
treasured by Jerry during his years of association with the local 9-ball
leagues.
Throughout the years in which Franklin was involved with pool in Las
Vegas he never forgot what influence this association had upon his
cuemaking skills and business success. Each year the S.N.'9' B.T.O.A.
held two dinners to honor their players for semi-annual league season
accomplishments. Not once or twice, but EVERY occasion, Jerry would
provide a custom-made cue that was given away to a very happy recipient.
Words cannot begin to chronicle the accomplishments and contributions of
this modest, yet truly great person, who along with the late Mercer never
will be forgotten by those fortunate to know and respect their huge
efforts. As the original editor of On Cue and now editor of The National
Billiard News, I can only echo the sentiments of those who have been or
were currently touched by Franklin's deeds.
Las Vegas and the entire billiards industry has lost a great friend. His
spirit forever will remain with us.
God bless you, Jerry, Laurie and Chance. Your greatest rewards lie ahead.