Dennis O'Neal Franklin was born on June 17, 1948, to the late Clarence Franklin Sr. and Ernestine Franklin in Victoria, TX. He attended F.W. Gross High School and was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps in 1968, serving in the Vietnam War. After his service, he relocated to Houston, TX, where he was blessed with two children: Dennis O'Neal Franklin Jr. and Franchesska LaCour (Quentin). In 1992, he met Beverly Foreman, and the two became one through marriage. Dennis retired from the Houston Chronicle after 30 years, during which he held various positions.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Franklin; his children, Dennis O'Neal Franklin Jr., Franchesska LaCour, Nakita Ellis, and Shane Ellis; four grandchildren; and his sisters, Gwen Grason, Carolyn Hopes, and Rena Franklin Sloan.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Ella Cook, Lilly Noonan, and his parents, brothers, Clarence Franklin Jr., James Franklin, and Orlando Franklin.