Franklin David Geyen was born on November 19, 1933 to the late Mable Young Geyen and Benjamin Geyen, Sr. in Lake Charles, LA.  He lived and grew up in Lake Charles area known as Fisherville where he was the 5 ^th out of 6 children.

He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School from elementary to high school where he earned his high school diploma in 1952.  Franklin was one of the star basketball players of the Invincible 5 and was a member of the district championship team.  Franklin (GeGe) also known as Valentino, Lounge Legs and the Slow Whirlwind by his friends and classmates.  He became an active member of the Sacred Heart Alumni Association.

Franklin was from a musical family and he was also a lover of music at Sacred Heart where he played the alto saxophone in the school band.

He accepted Christ at an early age at Evergreen Baptist Church, where he became a member of the Freemasons, and continued his spiritual growth upon joining Reeves Temple CME.  Franklin was very active in the church as a Trustee, Usher, Sunday School attendee, member of the Culinary Committee and choir member of both the Male and Senior Choir.  He was also a part of Men to Ministry and the Crowley District E.U.T.H.U (Empowering Us to Help Us) where they raised money to help troubled and poor youth in the community.

On the journey of finding a job he found himself moving to Chicago, IL and then to Seattle, WA, where he eventually found a job at the Boeing Aircraft Company as a riveter.

While in Seattle, Franklin met and played in a band with Quincy Jones but that was cut short due to being drafted in the US Army in July 1956. He was stationed in Germany for 2 years until he was honorably discharged in 1958.

Upon returning to the United States, he moved back to Lake Charles to help his dad, who was recovering from an injury at that time, by taking over his bus route and working in the family grocery store.

Franklin met the love of his life July 1958 and married Dorothy Mae Lemelle on February 4, 1960 and that union gave birth to their only child, Trudy Patrice Geyen.

Franklin was a hardworking man. During his lifetime he took on many jobs to help provide for his family, but his main jobs were Deputy Sheriff and a school bus driver for Calcasieu Parish.

As a bus driver, he drove the locally famous C-9 bus which was coined the nickname "Cloud 9" by the students. He was one of the few black drivers that owned their bus and was contracted by Calcasieu Parish School Board.  He retired after 42 years of service.

As a Deputy Sheriff, he worked under Sheriff Henry "Ham" Reid circa 1967. He made history as the first Black graduate of the Law Enforcement Training Academy on LSU campus and he was the first Black in all the positions he held in the Sheriff's office (Jailor, Patrol Officer, Warrant Officer, and Shift Supervisor).

He also won many first-place sharpshooting awards in the Magnolia State Peace Officers Association of Louisiana target range competition. He retired after 33 years of service.

Along with being a hardworking man, he was a businessman and entrepreneur as well. He maintained family-owned rental property and was also a co-founder of the Associated Food and Chemical Supply Company (AFSCO) for 18 years.

Growing up during a time where Blacks were fighting for equality and civil rights, he was a member of the NAACP and the Independent Democratic Association.  The IDA helped make many changes regarding jobs and immigration/voter registration. Franklin was very proud of the organization's accomplishments and that he was a part of increasing job opportunities for the Black community.

He was also knowledgeable of political issues and the importance of voting.  Franklin was a contributor and a strong supporter of his cousin, Rodney Geyen and our 44 ^th President Barack Obama.

Franklin loved his community and joined other organizations with a mission such as the Neighborhood Watch and the Lion's Club to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace, and promote international understanding.

He also volunteered as a Little League Baseball coach for over 20 years for the Forman-Reynaud YMCA and St. Henry mentoring and developing many young black men.  Throughout his life, Franklin helped several family members, friends and many others with a passion and did so without expecting anything in return. He was a true Christian and God-fearing man, and he will be sorely missed.

He departed this earthly world to become one with God on Tuesday, February 9, 2021.  He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, parents, sister (Willie Mae Geyen Jackson), and brothers (Benjamin, Jr and James Russell Geyen).

He leaves to cherish his memories:  Devoted wife of 61 years: Dorothy M. Lemelle Geyen; Daughter:  Trudy Geyen Saldaña; Son: Adrian D. Saldaña, Grandchildren:  Ashia D. Saldaña and Nicolas D. Saldaña; Great Grandchild:  Jael A. Lyons; Sisters:  Margaret Geyen Haley (Seattle, WA) and Claudette Geyen Holt (Miami, FL); God Child:  Alan Holt (Cheryl); Host of nephews and nieces.  He is also remembered by throngs of special cousins, students, church members, and friends.