Pete Branch

TUSCOLA: Pete Branch, 93, of Midland and Tuscola, Texas passed away February 15, 2020, in Abilene surrounded by his loving family.

Memorial services will be held at 10 A.M. Monday, February 17, 2020, at First Baptist Church, Tuscola, 700 Kent Ave., with DeWayne Bush officiating. A second memorial service will be held at 3 P.M. at Living Way Foursquare Church, 415 Alta Ave. Midland, Texas with Mark Crawford officiating. There will be no visitation nor graveside services. Arrangements are under the direction of Fry-Smith Funeral Home, 502 Kent Ave. in Tuscola.

Pete was born November 21, 1926, in Midland to Dolphus and Teagie Branch. He was one of four children. He attended Midland ISD schools and was drafted by the U.S. Army to serve in Japan during World War II his senior year. He was a Private First Class serving in occupied Japan from April 27, 1945, to December 11, 1946. He was a fireman in Midland when he returned from serving his country, and when he met the love of his life, Della Mae Busby. They married and started their family while Pete worked with his father at their family business, Branch Roofing Company.

After his retirement he drove a school bus route for his Alma Mater, and filled the rest of his time with his passion, planting and growing food for his family. Pete never let being retired effect his admirable work ethic; the most extreme West Texas weather rarely stopped him from working on whatever project needed completing. He was known for roofing homes, building decks, and planting and tending beautiful vegetable gardens well into his eighties. He was a man of few words, but he always had some bit of wisdom and a joke for his children and grandchildren.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bill Branch; sister, Foy Lee Glenn; and son, Danny Branch.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Della Branch; his daughters, Angela Freeman, and Genea Faught and husband Mark; his son, Joey Branch and wife Sheree; his sister, Dorothy Crawford; eight grandchildren, Derek Freeman, Rachel Freeman, Michel Beard, Lauren Wilson, Aaron Estill, Teagie McBeth, Maggie Branch, and Jolie Kay Branch; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to First Baptist Church, Tuscola, P.O. Box 35 Tuscola, Texas 79562. Please designate to the First Baptist Youth Ministry or Building Fund.