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J F Branson, age 90, a native of New Mexico, died Tuesday August 21, 2007 at his home. He was born June 7, 1917 in Des Moines, NM to Josiah and Ava Branson. The family moved to Albuquerque in 1920 and then to Thoreau, NM in 1926. After attending high school in both Thoreau and Gallup and then one year at the University of New Mexico, J F enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November of 1934. Before being commissioned as an Ensign in January 1944, he attained the rating of Chief Boatswains Mate and was also qualified as a Master Sea Diver. He retired in September 1957 as a Lieutenant Commander. Mr. Branson is survived by his daughters, Gwain Wilson of Clarksville, TN, and Faustine Settle and her husband, Ted of Blacksburg, VA; grandchildren, Darci, Todd and Dan Wilson, Stephen and Scott Settle, and Megan Price; and great-grandchildren, Jordon, Colin, Barrett, Reagan, Zanders, Ava, Jack and Morgan. He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia Lee Branson on January 19, 2002, after over 60 years of marriage; and his sisters, Lenore Wilkinson, Dorothy Thurston, Jean Shirley and Faye Mullholland. Other memberships include The Masonic Temple Six A.F. & A.M., the Santa Fe Scottish Rite Bodies, Ballut Abyad Shrine and the Fleet Reserves Association, Branch 200. Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 24, 2007, 11:00 a.m., at French Mortuary Wyoming Blvd. Chapel, with Rev. Branson Thurston, officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. Friends and family may visit French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel on Thursday, August 23, 2007, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to Shriners- Ballut Abyad, Children's Transportation Fund, P.O. Box 8410, Albuquerque, NM 87198. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400 www.frenchmortuary.com
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