Franklin Dean Greene
January 23, 1950 — March 17, 2025
- Share:
-
-
-
Service Details
Franklin Dean Greene, 75, died March 17, 2025, surrounded by his family. Franklin was born on January 23, 1950, in Hot Springs, Arkansas to his parents, John Hiawatha and Jessie (Muldrow) Greene.
Franklin graduated in 1968 from Langston High School, which was the last class to complete their education at the historically segregated institution. Subsequent classes were integrated and began attending Hot Springs High School.
Franklin received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri. He was a well-respected car dealer and businessman who owned Quality Ford in West Des Moines and Republic Ford Mercury in Republic, Missouri, along with his friend and longtime business partner, Bob Beine. They were famous for doing their own commercials, ending with the tagline, “Our Deals are Real.”
Franklin played college basketball and following college graduation, he had a tryout with the Chicago Bulls. He was an enthusiastic golfer and sports fan and was a longtime season ticket holder of the Kansas City Chiefs. He enjoyed traveling, attending family reunions, BBQ restaurants, horse racing and spending time with his daughters. He was on the Board of Trustees for the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky.
Franklin is survived by his daughters, Rachel Greene and Samantha Greene; his former wife, Courtney Maxwell Greene; siblings, Mae Robinson, Dwight (Wanda) Greene, Benny (Brenda) Greene, Kenny (Velmar) Greene and Gale (Randy) Davis; sister-in-law, Brooxine Greene; cousin Dwayne Hill; and a host of nieces of nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Hiawatha and mother, Jessie Greene; brother, Johnny Greene; brother-in-law, Freddie Robinson; and nephew, Corey Greene.
Visitation will be held Friday, March 28, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2025 at Corinthian Baptist Church, 814 School Street in Des Moines.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family and condolences expressed at www.HamitonsFuneralHome.com.
Cyril and Richard
03/29/2025
We are sorry for your loss and send our condolences to the Greene family. We pray that God gives all of you strength, clarity and resolve, but most importantly, peace of mind during this trying time. May we remember all the good memories Franklin gave us, especially his most familiar television catch phrase where his "deals are real!"
Suzette Prince
03/29/2025
My heartfelt condolences to the Greene family. During this difficult time, I pray for your strength, comfort, and healing. Franklin was an exceptional leader and a truly generous soul who made a lasting impact on those around him. I am grateful to have had the privilege of knowing him and meeting his wonderful family. May his legacy live on, and may he rest in peace.
Loletta Holloway (Hill)
03/28/2025
I remember when I first met Franklin. I had just arrived in Des Moines after driving from California to visit my brother. I was sitting in the waiting room of the dealership where he and Franklin worked. I had my head back on the sofa with my eyes closed and all of a sudden, the room seemed to get darker, and I felt as if someone was standing over me. I opened my eyes and Franklin was standing there. His first words were, "Your husband let you drive across country by yourself?" I looked at him and said, "I'm my own person so my husband doesn't own me. Who are you?" Franklin responded, "So if you're Dwayne's sister how come I don't know you?" Me: "Who are you?" Franklin said, "I'm his cousin Frank." Me: "How come I don't know you?" By this time Dwayne had come out to let me know he was ready to go. He says, "Franklin this is my little sister Loletta, Loletta this is Frank, my cousin." Again Franklin says, "How come I don't know her?" I laughed and said, "Because I don't want to know you!" Later in the week Franklin came to the house and we hung out. We laughed about his assumption that I needed permission to drive across country by myself. Franklin came to understand I'm my own person and from that point he became 'My Big Cousin Franklin'. He would laugh because I would never call him Frank. I told him, "Your parents named you Franklin and Franklin you will always be to me." I'm going to miss you Big Cousin Franklin. See you in Paradise!!
Errol and Damita Rogers
03/27/2025
As friends and neighbors of Dwight and Wanda Greene, we send our condolences to the entire Greene family. May God comfort your hearts during your time of bereavement.
Terry O Hill
03/27/2025
My condolences to the family, as I can claim having known a very joyful and great person in my family acquaintance with Franklin. May His spirit be received and His rest be peaceful, that He not been forgotten.
David Weaver
03/25/2025
My sincere Condolences to the family..I met Franklin when I first got interested in attending C of O. I met him through Royce Bailey. He was one of the most influential person ever. He had a heart of Gold...One of God's chosen one! May God bless the family. May God take care of Franklin as he transitioned to Heaven.
Wade Rouse
03/24/2025
My deepest condolences to the Greene family. I was a 77 graduate of the College Of The Ozarks. Frank had long been gone by the time I got there. His name and accomplishments were always talked about even after he graduating.
I finally got the chance to meet Frank, and I loved that guy the first time I met him. His younger brother Benny and I attended College of The Ozarks together, that’s when I learned of Frank.
Frank had a tremendous impact on my life. I will miss those hour long conversations with my friend. To his daughters, your dad always talked about you and it was with total love.
Joyce Hill White
03/24/2025
To the family of Franklin Greene - you are in my prayers. My sister and I grew up with Franklin and his siblings. Franklin was a kind person. May he rest in peace.
Cletus Johnson
03/24/2025
I am surprised and saddened at the passing of Frank. Please accept my deepest condolences. Just this past Thursday before I learned of his passing, I was at lunch with some printshop staff members at the College of the Ozarks. Basketball was mentioned and Frank's name was raised. There were good things said about him, his work ethic, his creativity for making his own car commercials (I was not blessed to see them.) and his work in support of the College. He is remembered. He lives on through his good works. May he rest in peace.
Paulette Wiley
03/24/2025
My Dearest Friend & Mentor, I am forever grateful for your mentorship, and partnership. I remember when we founded the Metro Business Alliance for Business's of color. You were the first business of color I called on for support.
You extended your hand, and we recruited other professional black business to join our vision and movement.
You were instrumental in the progress of the organization and its members. Often hosting events at your dealership Quality Ford. You also made it possible for several of our community members to purchase reliable transportation at an affordable price.
You are and will always be a beacon of hope for many of us. You will forever live in the hearts of many and most certainly in mine.
Thank you again my friend,
Rest In Love
Larry and Audrey (Burrell) Robertson
03/24/2025
We were sorry to hear of Franklin's transition. We will be in continual prayer for your family.
We have fond memories of his jovial nature at the College of the Ozarks and during the Afro American reunions over the years.
We pray God's grace and mercy upon all.
Sandra Lyles
03/24/2025
Franklin was a person who lived life to the fullest. He never met a stranger and was such a great guy. When we met him we realized we had a connection. One of his childhood friends was our brother-in-law, it was an instant friendship. The world has lost a good one - he will be missed. We send our sincere condolences to the family and pray for your healing. Memories last a lifetime, let them get you through the sad times.
Fondly,
Mack & Sandra Lyles
John Fosselman
03/22/2025
I worked for Mr. Greene for 14 years at his Quality Ford dealership. He was a man I respected and also a man who cared for his employees. I became a Chiefs fan because of his generosity in giving away his tickets to his employees.
I was sad to hear of his passing and give my sincere condolences to his family.
Dave borror
03/22/2025
Worked for mister green for years witch is what his brother benny green told me he liked to be called when he hired me early 90 always good to me RIP mister green my condolences to family
Valeska Buie
03/22/2025
Franklin will always be remembered by us as a great person and a good friend. I want to express our deepest sympathy to his family, especially to Rachel, Samantha and Courtney.
Valeska and Fred Buie