Samuel Garth Branch

May 23, 2023

Mr. Samuel Garth Branch, age 98, was born November 20, 1924, and passed away, Sunday, May 21, 2023, very peacefully and surrounded by a number of his family with hands on him as he took his last breath. He was a member of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church and a devout Christian, and served as a deacon for many years.

Mr. Branch, born in the roaring 20’s dropped out of school in the 7TH grade during the great depression to assist his father in clearing fields with a plow and mule to provide for their family. He was drafted into the Army, serving in the Philippine’s in 1945 as part of a bazooka team, clearing Japanese soldiers resisting in pill boxes, and snipers. He re-enlisted to serve in post WWII occupation of Japan as a Sargent and chief jailer for Sugamo Prison in Tokyo. The most famous person jailed under his section was Tokyo Rose. He met Hideki Tojo (Japan’s Prime Minister of War that was over the order to bomb Pearl Harbor) in his jail cell in a separate section of Sugamo Prison, and got his autograph on the back of a picture of Tojo being led to war crime trials. He held jobs such as parts delivery, auto mechanic, farmer, truck driver, oil rig, and finally settled into a career balancing helicopter rotors at Pensacola Navy Base. He was an avid reader and scholar of the Bible. When retiring in the mid 80’s traveling the continental US with his wife for the next 15 or so years, often convoying with other RV friends, in their Suburban, pulling their Airstream Travel Trailer.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel William (Martha) Branch, and one daughter, Deborah Branch Singleton.

He is survived by his loving wife, of 74 years, that he met in 1949, Voncile Drew Branch, of Atmore, AL; one son, Dee (Donna) Branch, of Chireno, TX; four grandsons, Travis Branch, Michael Branch, Kris Singleton, Will Singleton, and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel funeral Home, LLC.  with Rev. Tim Tew officiating.

Burial will follow at Serenity Garden Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.

Pallbearers will be Gary Hare, Joe Lane, Wesley Hughes, Rick Warren, John James, and Hugh Long.

Comments

2 Responses to “Samuel Garth Branch”

  1. Laura Cook on June 16th, 2023 2:08 am

    So sorry to hear of this. Eddie and I loved to go over and see you all during fellowship at Brooks. I am still devastated over losing Eddie so fast. I miss him so much. God will get you thru this. Love you, Laura Cook

  2. Larry Williams on May 26th, 2023 9:46 am

    Dee and family,
    Sorry to hear of the passing of Sam. He was a great person. I feel honored to have know and worked with him. Sam was greatly respected by his fellow workers. He will be missed.

    Larry Williams
    126 Adams Rd.
    Opp Al.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries