Columbus father drowns in Florida rip current. Fundraiser is helping his family
A Columbus father has drowned after being caught in a rip current while swimming with a family member in Florida, according to authorities.
The Gulf County Sheriff’s Office responded around 2 p.m. Sunday to the 3800 block of Cape San Blas Road to a 911 call about a possible drowning, according to their Facebook page.
“Emergency personnel from Gulf County EMS and South Gulf Fire Rescue were on the scene and engaged in life-saving efforts,” the post says.
The sheriff’s office identified the victim as 47-year-old Timothy Franklin of Georgia.
“This is a heartbreaking incident and the family remains in our thoughts and prayers,” the post says.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to support the Franklin family, which lives in Columbus.
“Please help us support Crystal, Eli and Tee Franklin in the unexpected loss of their beloved husband and father, Tim,” the GoFundMe page says.
As of 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, 172 donors have contributed $31,240 toward the $55,000 goal.
Franklin was a senior compliance manager at Synovus, according to his Facebook page.
His wife, Crystal, works at Trevioli Italian Kitchen in north Columbus, according to the restaurant’s Facebook page.
“Crystal has been our friend and employee for several years,” Trevioli’s post Monday night says. “And her son Tee works here too on the weekends. Tragedy struck yesterday morning on their family vacation and Tim is no longer with us. Crystal is now on her own with these 2 boys. Please say a prayer for this family as they are still at the beach, working with the medical examiner on end of life paperwork. It’s been a heavy week y’all. Hug your loved ones tightly today.”
This story was originally published June 10, 2025 at 11:04 AM.