Franklin Ray Painter, Sr.

Franklin Ray Painter, Sr., age 87, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2018.  He was born on May 6, 1931 and grew up in the small town of Sinton, Texas where, as a young man, he plowed fields behind a mule.

He enrolled in Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas in 1949, but put his college career on hold to serve our country in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955.  Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Georgetown and completed his degree, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.  After that, Franklin served 13 years with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission before becoming an Administrator with Retama Manor, first in Corpus Christi, then moving to the Rio Grande Valley.  In 1982, he founded APC Home Health Service, Inc. and T.L.C. Adult Day Care Centers, Inc.  Franklin was not only a great businessman, winning Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award, but was also a charitable and caring soul.

Franklin began Pregnancy Testing Centers of the Rio Grande Valley, an organization which has saved over 2,000 lives.  In his free time, he loved nothing more than to hunt and fish with his boys.

He is preceded in death by his father, Ray Painter, and his mother, Inez Pye Painter.  Franklin is survived by his wife, Ofelia Painter; sons, Franklin Ray (Norma) Painter, Jr., Andrew Sean (Aranda) Painter; grandchildren, Eric Randell Painter, Phoenix Painter, Danae Painter, Caia Painter, Hayden Painter; and, his dear cousin, Shirley Viola.

Franklin’s family will be receiving friends and relatives on Friday, August 24, 2018 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at San Benito Funeral Home.  A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Armando De Leon, Ted Herrera, Jaime Campos, Manuel Garcia, Rudy Yanez, and Lane Gilday.

The Painter family wishes to thank the compassionate caregivers of APC Homemaker Service, the wonderful, caring staff of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen, Dr. Nina Torkelson, Dr. Uribe, Dr. Sarhill, and Dr. Hilmy.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, TX.  (956) 361-9192  www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com