 James L. Franklin is an Oklahoma native who moved to Houston at age 4. He attended Houston public schools and graduated from Reagan High School in 1951, where he was an outstanding football player. He attended Wharton Junior College, The University of Texas and the University of Houston before coming to Sam Houston in 1956. He graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Jim is a member of the Former Letterman's Association at Sam Houston. From 1952 until 1954 he served with the armed forces. He worked for the Internal Revenue Service from 1959-64 and attended the University of Houston Law School at night. He worked for the accounting firm of T.B. Trotter, which merged with Ernst and Ernst, from 1965 until 1971. He was admitted to the State Bar in 1967 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1969. In 1971 James L. Franklin and Carol Sylvester '62 formed the Houston accounting firm of Franklin, Sylvester and Company. Jim is a member of the American, Texas, and Houston Bar Association. Jim is a very active and loyal supporter of Sam Houston State University and the SHSU Alumni Association. He is married to the former Donna Rawls. Their children include Mike Franklin 18, who will be a freshman at Sam Houston next fall, Leslie Franklin, 14, Pamela Rawls, 23, and Rick Rawls, 20. |
As profiled at April 30, 1982 Distinguished Alumni Banquet