Franklin Delano (FD) Wilkins, of Boulder, CO, and Raton, New Mexico passed peacefully at the age of 89 on March 19th. FD was born January 14th, 1935 to Loyd Wilkins and Grace Taylor in Grenville, New Mexico. In his early years, FD was put to work at his father’s lumberyard, Wilkins Lumber, in Raton NM. He grew up playing basketball and had fond memories of playing at Raton High School. During his school years, he once saw a beautiful girl crossing the street and turned to his mother and said “that is the girl I am going to marry.”
Always determined, FD did indeed marry Diana (Mitchell) just a few years later on February 16th, 1957 while both were students at the University of New Mexico. The two visited Colorado Springs on their honeymoon, sparking their lifelong love of the state. Diana and FD welcomed three children, Charlotte, John, and David, and moved from Raton to Colorado. FD fell in love with Boulder on his first visit. He talked about driving down Highway 36 into Boulder for the very first time, and feeling as if the city had taken his breath away. He became determined to make Boulder his home, and he and Diana moved their family in 1968. FD was an avid biker, golfer, diver, and skier, and he enjoyed walking with his dog Buddy in the neighborhood. He loved the Nuggets and the Buffs and was a long-time season ticket holder at Folsom Field- a legacy his family is grateful to continue. He set down roots beyond Boulder in Vail, CO, and San Jose del Cabo, MX, and made friends easily in each new place he visited. But FD never forgot, and forever treasured his small-town beginnings in Raton.
FD became a grandfather for the first time in 1991, and it was a role he wholeheartedly embraced. His grandchildren remember many afternoons spent outside in the yard of his Boulder home, expeditions to Water World, and many meals completed by a hearty bowl of ice cream.
FD was preceded in passing by his beloved wife Diana Wilkins, his son David Wilkins, sister Peggy Baird, her daughter Donna Hilliard, and brothers Worth and Loyd Wilkins Jr. He will be remembered by his children and their partners; Charlotte and Brian Shifrin, and John and Shawna Wilkins; his grandchildren and their families Wes and Brooke Shifrin, Savannah Shifrin, and Brian Healy, Ashley and Jake Rosett, Natalie Shifrin, and his three great-granddaughters Aubrey, Harper, and Nora, in addition to a large extended family and many cherished friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the many organizations that FD supported during his lifetime, or to the incredible caregiving team that looked after him in his final years:
Friendship Bridge 405 Urban St., Ste 140, Lakewood CO 80228
Windhorse Elder Care 1299 Pearl St, Ste 105, Boulder CO 80302
