James Franklin, known affectionately as Jim, died peacefully at home with family on 26th January 2018, after a battle with cancer.

Jim was born in 1935 in Salisbury, Wiltshire to Sidney and Lilian Franklin and lived there until 1951 with siblings Nora, Ronald and Edward, attending Bishops Wordsworth School, where he was taught English by renowned author William Golding.

After leaving school he worked in a drawing office in Cirencester. He then joined the Royal Air Force in Hendon, North London, where he stayed for two years as a Senior Aircraft Man.

He married Eugenie Gilbank (Jean) in Hendon, North London in 1956 and they went on to have four daughters. After time in Wootton Bassett, Cirencester, Andover and Thatcham, Jim moved with his family to Enborne Grove in Newbury in 1969.

His career selling building materials with H James, Berkshire Builders Merchants and Travis & Arnold took off and he set up FKS Builders Merchants in Newbury in 1982 with Henry King and Mike Sadler.

FKS was soon a thriving business, and Jim was very popular and well-respected amongst all those in the building trade for miles around.

His big passion outside of family and work was golf. He started playing when he was only a young boy. Over the years, he was an active member of Newbury & Crookham, West Berkshire and The Wiltshire in Swindon, winning many competitions and trophies, including in the senior categories.

Sport was a big part of his life, having played table tennis as well, and with a love of watching cricket, rugby and football, including following his local club, Swindon Town.

Jim had many happy anecdotes about being surrounded by his girls, despite often sharing tales of being the only long-suffering man in the house!

After retiring in 1992, they spent holidays in the USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Jim and Jean moved to Lyneham in 1997, spending time with family, and making great new friends in their neighbourhood and at the Conservative Club.

Jim was a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa and friend and the lives of everyone he touched were made better by his generosity of spirit, positivity, good humour and zest for life.

He is survived by wife Jean and their daughters Kay, Toni, Claire and Sally and grandchildren Nancy, Sophie, Joe, Liam, Elliot, Annie, Isobel and Lily. Sister Nora and brother Edward.

The funeral service will be held at Kingsdown Crematorium at 3pm on 26th February, followed by a celebration of his life at Wrag Barn Golf Club, Highworth, Swindon.

Family flowers only, however donations would be appreciated to benefit Brighter Futures Radiotherapy Appeal GWH c/o Maslins Funeral Services (01793) 848700.