From George A. Smith and Sons Funeral Home

Franklin was born on March 23, 1932 in Maury City, Tennessee to the late Henry Carmack Murchison and Orban Peal Murchison. He was a proud West Tennessean whose life was marked by distinguished service to his country, the legal profession, and the people of Tennessee.

A graduate of Jackson High School, Franklin continued his education at Northeast Mississippi Junior College, where he played football, and Union University before earning his law degree from Vanderbilt University in 1956. He also graduated from the United States Army Judge Advocate General School in 1956.

Franklin honorably served his country in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1957 until 1960, attaining the rank of Captain. During his military service, he held positions including Defense Counsel, Prosecuting Counsel, Chief of Appellate Review, and Chief of Military Justice while stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He received an honorable discharge in 1960.

Following his military service, Franklin returned home to Jackson where he devoted decades to the practice of law. From 1960 until 1975, he practiced with the firm of Murchison & Murchison alongside his father, Carmack Murchison, focusing on civil and criminal litigation in both state and federal courts. He later practiced with the firm of Spragins & Murchison with Sidney W. Spragins from 1975 until 1985, where his work continued to center on litigation and trial practice. The firm went on to add Charles H. Barnett and William L. Guy as partners.

In 1985, Franklin was elected Judge of the Circuit Court of Tennessee for the 26th Judicial District, Division III, serving Madison, Henderson, and Chester Counties. Throughout his judicial career, he was respected for his wisdom, fairness, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice.

Franklin was admitted to practice before all courts of Tennessee, the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Federal Judicial Circuit, the United States Court of Military Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He was a member of the Jackson County Bar Association, the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Bar Foundation, and the Tennessee Association of Tennessee Trial Judges.

Outside of his professional life, Franklin was an avid golfer and devoted sports fan who especially enjoyed following college athletics and spending time on the golf course with friends and family. Whether cheering on his favorite teams or enjoying a round of golf, he treasured the fellowship and memories those moments brought throughout his life.

Above all, Franklin will be remembered as a devoted family man, respected jurist, proud veteran, and trusted friend whose influence reached far beyond the courtroom. His legacy of service, leadership, and dedication to the law will continue to be felt throughout the community he faithfully served for so many years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Green Murchison; his daughter, Leslie Murchison Cap; his parents, Henry Carmack Murchison and Orban Peal Murchison; and his sister, Dorothy Jean Murchison Brown.

Franklin is survived by his children, Laura Murchison Starnes, MD (Michael) of Indian Wells, California, John Franklin Murchison, Jr., MD (Kelly) of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Amy Murchison McKinnis of Edmond, Oklahoma; his grandchildren, Gabriel Cap (Jennifer), Michael Cap (Kelly), Daniel Cap, Rachel Moscosa (Tony), William McKinnis, Andrew McKinnis, Cathryn Marker (Jacob), Olivia McKinnis, Franklin Murchison, III, DDS (Allyson), Caroline Borie, MD (Tuck), Maggie Ledbetter (Sage); and a host of great-grandchildren.

The family will hold a memorial service at a later date where family and friends will be cordially invited to celebrate the life of The Honorable John Franklin Murchison.