Richard Henry “Sonny” Brannan, Jr., 89, of Lumberton, went peacefully to be with the Lord on February 12, 2015. He was born on February 4, 1926, in Breckenridge, Texas, to Richard Henry Brannan, Sr. and Myrtle Miller Brannan.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 as Gunner’s Mate 3C, Petty Officer, LSM 212 (Landing Ship Medium) Amphibian Force, and participated in an invasion at Okinawa. Richard received awards for service in Tokyo, the Russell Islands, the Philippines, and other Pacific islands.
Richard and Frances Kathleen Barbee met in Jasper, Texas, and were married on March 9, 1947, by Reverend Mason Stark. They would celebrate sixty-nine years of marriage this year.
Richard was employed for over forty years with Jefferson Drug Company, Beaumont, Texas, as a drug salesman as well as Sales Manager. Upon his retirement from Jefferson Drug Company in 1986, he changed careers to that of full-time fisherman, handyman, and gardener with his wife, Frances, at their lakeside home on Sam Rayburn Lake.
Richard and Frances were charter members of The Apostolic Church of Beaumont. He served as a member of the Board of Directors from 1969 until 2005, and until his death was an honorary member of the Board of Directors. His passion was to serve his church and his pastor and family, and he was very instrumental in the overseeing the construction of the present sanctuary of The Apostolic Church, 3333 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont.
Richard leaves behind his loving wife of nearly sixty-nine years, Frances Kathleen Brannan; daughter, Sharon June Wrinkle; son, Richard Philip Brannan and his wife, Robin Brannan; granddaughters, Melodi Wrinkle, Melissa Wrinkle, and Sunni Brannan Gonzales and her husband, Shayne Gonzales, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Donita Stark, Irma Miller, and Vernell Bagley; and brother, Dean Brannan.
A gathering of Mr. Brannan’s family and friends will begin at 12:00 p.m. with his funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 14, 2015, at The Apostolic Church, 3333 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont. His interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
