McMinnville resident and Viola native Franklin Thomas Basham, 83, died Jan. 6.
Born Feb. 5, 1934, he was the son of the late Stacy May and Robert L. Basham of Viola and was preceded in death by son, Kenneth Basham and brother, Raymond Basham.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Powell Basham; son and daughter-in-law, Kelly and Cynthia Basham of McMinnville; and daughter, Kay Basham of Chattanooga; brothers, Joe Bob and wife Dorothy Basham of Viola, and Benton Basham of Viola and Texas; grandchildren, Tabathia Lester, Jason and Joshua Basham, all of McMinnville, and eight great-grandchildren.
He was a 1953 graduate of Central High School and Emery Riddle Flight School in 1959. He had a lengthy career in the nursery as owner of Frank Basham Nursery in Viola where he was named MTNA Nurseryman of the Year and Warren County Soil Conservation Farmer of the Year. He also worked as a flight instructor and as an aerial agriculture pilot. He was a former manager of Warren County Airport and served on the airport board. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955-57.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel with Kevin Deason officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at McMinnville Funeral Home.
McMinnville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Jan. 7, 2015