Franklin Merle Colborn, 84 of Cabool MO, passed from this life on Friday May 1, 2026. He was born on April 10, 1942 in Mountain Grove, MO.

Born Franklin, but known to all as Merle, Merle was the oldest of 10 children. He spent most of his youth in Missouri, but eventually left home to travel west to be a cowboy. He made his way to Medicine Lodge, Kansas, then all the way to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he fulfilled his childhood dream of being a cowboy on a dude ranch. This ranch is where Merle made some of his fondest memories and he would share them with anyone and everyone he could. He continued to be a cowboy at heart, long after he left Cheyenne.

Merle married Edith in 1970, and they eventually settled on a dairy farm with their 5 kids in Cabool MO. Merle was a hardworking provider for his family, driving a truck hauling dairy locally, then Red Top gas, moving on to C&H long haul trucking, finishing with Cabool Transport until he was in an accident that ended his long standing driving career. He was very proud of the award he won for 1,000,000 miles of accident free driving. He spent his later years at home with his wife, Edith, and helping his son, Bill look after his cattle. He enjoyed collecting antiques, taking his RV to Texas, fishing, hunting, and looking after his homestead. His granddaughters knew him to have a sweet tooth, always enjoying some ice cream or kettle popcorn.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Effie (Steely) Colborn; brothers, Merlin, Dwight, Dwayne, David, Richard and Denver Colborn and sons, Brad Colborn and Bruce Simmons. He is survived by his loving wife, Edith Colborn; brother, Darrell Colborn; sisters, Glenda Owens and Rita Hicks; sons, Bill Colborn (Polly) and Brian Simmons (Robin); daughter, Sharlotte Dogan (David); granddaughters, Nichole Simmons, Raeanna Simmons, Erin Simmons and Morgan Simmons and great-granddaughters, Gillian Toney and Lola Simmons.

He will be deeply missed by all those who loved and knew him. He was a pillar of strength and love for his family. Rest easy, cowboy, until we meet again.