John Earl Branum, Jr. of Guntersville, formerly of Huntsville, died on Friday, December 30 at the age of 76. He was born to Helen and John Earl Branum, Sr. on June 15, 1940. He was a 1958 graduate of Butler High School and served in the U.S. Army in Korea and Germany. John was a member of Episcopal Church of Epiphany in Guntersville.
Throughout all his adult life, he loved the game of golf. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, which he taught his sons at a very early age. He trained Labrador Retrievers on his farm at Union Grove, and his beloved Mex was the only field champion in Alabama at the time.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, whom he called “Annie”; two sons, Scott (Dana) and John III; three grandchildren, John IV, Daniel and Stephanie Branum; one great grandson, Owen Branum; and two sisters, Grace Ann Butler (John) and Mona Gay Keith (Fred), all of Huntsville.
Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 4 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel with the Rev. Aaron Raulerson officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
The family is deeply grateful for the superb and tender care he received at Shepherd’s Cove Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Marshall County, 408 Martling Road, Albertville, Alabama 35951.
