Franklin McKenzie Kyle, Jr., 85, Bunkie native

Franklin McKenzie Kyle, Jr., age 85, a native of Bunkie, LA and a resident of Biloxi and Baton Rouge, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2022 surrounded by his family after a short bout with cancer.

Franklin was born and raised in Bunkie and graduated from Bunkie High School. He then graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in Ag Economics followed by a Masters of Business Administration. While at LSU, he was cadet senior colonel of ROTC, President of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK). Between earning his degrees, Franklin was also commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army and served six months of active duty.

Franklin then began work as district manager of South Central Bell in Biloxi, where he and his wife Rose Cook Kyle lived for over 40 years and raised their family. During that time, Franklin served as the President of the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of Fisher House and Salvation Army. He also was appointed as president of the Harrison County Development Commission, was a three-time Duke of the Gulf Coast Carnival Association, was honored as King of Les Masque, and was an elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Biloxi.

Franklin was owner and manager of several companies, including managing partner of Sunstates Management Company for over thirty years. In 2005, Franklin and Rose moved to Baton Rouge where he was a member of the Cadets of the Ole War Skule, the Baton Rouge City Club, the LSU alumni association and TAF. Franklin was also an avid Tiger fan. He has held season football tickets for over sixty years and witnessed three of the four LSU national championships.

Franklin is survived by his loving wife, Rose Cook Kyle; his son Franklin McKenzie Kyle, III and wife Kerri; daughter Elizabeth Kyle Vaughn and husband Lloyd; and his five grandchildren, Lauren McKenzie Kyle and fiancé Kenny of Midland, Texas, Franklin McKenzie Kyle IV and wife Juliet of New Braunfels, TX , Claire Elizabeth Vaughn, William Lloyd Vaughn, and Katharine Kyle Vaughn of Alexandria, LA. He is preceded in death by his father, Franklin McKenzie Kyle Sr.; and mother, Mackie McNabb Kyle.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 1:00PM at Hixson-Ducote Funeral Home, 302 St. John St. Bunkie, LA 71322. A graveside service will follow at 2:00PM at Pythian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Biloxi, 1340 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, MS 39530 or Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, 5000 Hennessy Boulevard, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808.