The Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge announces the death of Mr. Franklin Delano Gardin, age 72, of Blue Ridge, GA who passed away Sunday, December 20, 2009 in Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, GA. Mr. Gardin was born on December 30, 1936 in Madison, NC to the late Daniel Jarrett Gardin and Cora Ethel Suttles Gardin. He was a member of Cherry Log Christian Church and was previous chairman of the Fannin County Democratic Party. He served in the United States Air Force and retired after 21 years of service. After retirement, he was a member of Georgia Air National Guard and in 1976 was appointed by Governor Joe Frank Harris as an honorary Lt. Colonel. He had a second career with Thornton Chevrolet in Lithia Springs, while he and his wife built their dream home in Blue Ridge. He loved nature including the plants, the trees, the bears, the cougars, and other wild life. He loved to build with his own two hands, and was recently assisting his son in building a home. He was also a colorful storyteller and loved to entertain his grandchildren with tall tales from his Cherokee heritage. He was preceded in death by two infant brothers, Frances Troy Gardin and Anson Denver Gardin. He is survived by his wife, Betty Ruth Riden Gardin of Blue Ridge; a son, Brett Gardin of Blue Ridge; daughters, Penny Lewis (son-in-law Dan Lewis) of Carrolton, GA and Pam Gossett (son-in-law Allen Gossett) of Rome, GA; brothers, John Ray Gardin of Chucky, TN, Wade Junior Gardin of Norwood, NC, and Wayne Jasper Gardin of Lenoir City, TN; seven grandchildren, Jarrett Gossett (wife Amanda Gossett), Jennifer Goble (husband Trey Goble), Rebecca Gossett, Rob Gardin, Meagan Lewis, Leslie Lewis, and Christopher Lewis; and a great grandson, James Goble. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. from the Akins of Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. David Griffin officiating. Eulogy will be given by Dr. Bill Harrison. Music will be by Earline Crooke and Harold Walbert. Pallbearers will be Pete Thomas, Eugene Watkins, Joe Clement, Joe Sisson, James L. Clark, and James Jett. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Sisson, John Lofaro, and Delaney Dill. Graveside services will be held Saturday, December 26, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in Sunrise Memorial Gardens in Douglasville, GA. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. until the funeral hour of 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Craddock Center (A Children's Enrichment Program), P.O. Box 69, 947 Cherry Log Street, Cherry Log, GA 30522. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of arrangements. .