Roderick "Black Rod" Franklin Sr was born at Mount Sinai Hospital, to the union of Delacy Franklin and Gwendolyn Bullard Franklin on August 27, 1970, in Miami Beach, Florida. As a child, Roderick was nicknamed "Tank," and he is described as having been a very boisterous child, who exemplified a ton of energy and a daring personality. Roderick always had a very close relationship with his large number of cousins. Roderick was active with several extracurricular activities which included The Miami Northside Optimist Club, The Danny Deals baseball team, karate, altar boy with the Church of Transfiguration of Opa-Locka and he was a member of the North Miami Senior High football team.  At a young age, Roderick gained a great interest in hot wheel car racing, video games, and the birth of hip hop culture and music. In his youth, Roderick delved into break dancing, building speaker boxes, and DJing. As the middle child in the home, Roderick was often responsible for taking care of his younger sister Shan and making sure that she was in attendance at all of the family functions, to show off the dance moves taught to her by Roderick. As a teenager, Roderick became involved in Miami style DJing and played an assistant role with the Too Fresh Express DJs. Until death, Roderick was persistent in fulfilling his greatest interest in being a Miami DJ. Roderick was educated under the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Miami at Holy Redeemer Catholic school, Monsignor Edward Pace High School and he ultimately earned a high school diploma from North Miami Senior High School, in Dade County, Florida.  His other biggest pursuit was purchasing and reconstructing old school cars. In high school, Roderick was employed with Winn Dixie Supermarket and worked long hours to save money towards the purchase of his first Chevy Caprice, with a candy paint job. Following high school, Roderick had the privilege of learning carpet laying from his father. His father provided him with an opportunity to learn a trade and along with his mother, Roderick's parents strived to channel his energy into a positive adulthood. Roderick committed himself to "getting on the truck" daily to work alongside his father with Florida Carpet Company and Harry Rich Carpet.  Roderick worked many years as an independent Carpet Mechanic and earned a certification as a Floor Covering Installer, awarded by the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association, INC. The state of Georgia held a special place in Roderick's heart and he ultimately ventured to Atlanta in the early 2000's where he continued carpet installations. Due to his failing health Roderick was forced to return to Florida. After several weeks of attempting to improve his health during hospitalization, Roderick's health took a toll, resulting in his death. Roderick's ultimate goal while hospitalized was to come home for Thanksgiving.On November 29, 2024 (his mother's birthday), Roderick passed away at Mount Sinai Hospital, on Miami Beach, where he was born. Roderick is preceded in death by his father, Delacy Franklin "Pops." His precious memories will forever live in the hearts of his sons, Roderick Franklin Jr."Boo " and Kiroderick Franklin (Georgia), his mother Gwendolyn Franklin"Mama," three grandchildren who he bragged about, Ronald Franklin, Jacarii Franklin, and  Ki'Maya, sisters Veronica Mason "My big sista," Shaniqua Franklin "Shani-reek," two half -brothers Michael Franklin and Stanley Franklin, two half-sisters Leslie Franklin and Marivonne Franklin, brother-in-law Marlon Mason Sr, sisters-in-law Norma Franklin and Dinah Franklin, nephews Marlon Jr., Khiry and Joshua, nieces Eryn, Rylee, Khyla, Kendra and Mya, uncles David Bullard and Robert Franklin, Aunts, Simalene Bullard, Ernestine Gallagher, Jethrine Suarez, Chedditta Wright, Vivia Henry, Estella Clark, Rodline Franklin, Betty Franklin, Margaret Williams and Annette Jones, a long time partner, Desender "Dee Dee" Ferguson and a host of extended family in Miami, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut.