Franklin Carroll Bollinger

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Franklin Carroll Bollinger

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 02:16
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Franklin Carroll Bollinger, 92, passed away on Dec. 28, 2020, at North Kansas City Hospital from pneumonia complications.

Franklin was born April 1, 1928, to Clarence F. and Bertha M. (Carroll) Bollinger in Mosby. The family moved to Excelsior Springs, where Franklin was raised and graduated in 1946 from Excelsior Springs High School. He attended and graduated in 1951 from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. Franklin served his country as a counterintelligence agent in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, 1951-53. While in the military, Franklin married Jaqueline F. Holub, Aug. 10, 1952, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. From this blessed union, they created a loving family of five children.

Franklin was best known by the community of Excelsior Springs for owning and operating the Dari-B (1954) Ice Cream Store and Dari-B Car Wash (1977).

Franklin was sort of a daredevil, competitive and always up for new challenges. He led an exciting life. He was known for hunting Native American artifacts in local fields, competing in downhill NASTAR skiing, hang gliding off Kansas and Missouri hills, and scuba diving in the Grand Cayman Islands. Most would say his favorite activity was competing in the Senior Olympics (1995-2017), where he consistently qualified for the National Senior Games. Franklin was blessed with many opportunities and never gave up competing until his last Missouri Show-Me Games at age 89. Not only did he love competing, but he also enjoyed being an avid sports fan of Excelsior Springs High School athletics.

Franklin was an active and faithful member of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, served as a trustee for the Missouri Archaeological Society, and was a member of the American Legion and a member of the Excelsior Springs Athletic Hall of Fame. He also was a Hall of Fame athlete as a member of Northwest Missouri State’s 1949 and 1950 indoor and outdoor track championship teams.

Franklin was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Daniel Gryder; and sister, Phyllis Parle.

He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, of the home; daughters, Susan McAuliffe, Karen (Jeff) Southwick and Mary (Doug) Parker; sons, Mark (Karen) Bollinger and Michael (Jane) Bollinger; grandchildren, Lindsey (Kris) Zeid, Kane Southwick, Emily (Brett) Baldwin, Bailey (Alatini) Finau, Drew Parker and Ryan Parker; and great-grandchildren, Brenna and Faye Baldwin, Isi Finau and one blessing to come.

Franklin would say his greatest accomplishments were his 68 years of marriage to his beautiful bride, Jacqueline; and fathering his five children, Susan, Mark, Karen, Michael and Mary.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.