Samuel Branch
On Tuesday, July 5th 2022, Samuel Bracey Branch of Meadows Place, TX, aged 71, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family. Sam, as he was known to most, was born in Zwolle, LA on March 3, 1951 to George and Dorothy Branch who preceded him in death. Sam grew up in Louisiana and attended Many High School where he would excel in both academics and sports. He played basketball and football and would finish near the top of his class by the time he graduated in 1969. It would also be during this time that he would meet his lifelong friend, Dolph Williams. Sam and Dolph would spend many adventures together, in particular when it came to cars. They both loved to drive fast and test the limits, to say the least.
After high school, Sam would attend Northwestern State University before he decided to pursue other ambitions. It would be in 1974 that he would meet the love of his life, Linda Ladd while she was attending an orchestra event in Natchitoches. After a short courtship Sam and Linda married in October of 1975. With the support of Linda’s parents, George and Pauline Ladd, they would ultimately settle in their first home in Bellaire, TX. Sam would then put one of his many talents to work taking a job as an HVAC Service Specialist and Contractor at Bissonnet Air & Heat which was owned by Phil Miller, who would also become a life-long friend. This would ultimately become his life-long career. Sam’s ability to diagnose and solve problems, as well as his friendly persona, allowed him to be very successful in this field. Many would seek his expertise and opinions over the years becoming well respected for what he did. Sam would also enjoy a second career in the frozen daquiri business which would reunite him with his friend Dolph at the Frosty Factory in Ruston, LA and later joined his mother and brother at the Frosty Factory bar in Lake Charles, LA.
In December of 1976, Sam and Linda welcomed their first child, Samuel (Brad) Branch, into the world. He would be the first of three children with Christopher following in 1979 and Lara Beth 9 years later in 1988. Lara’s birth, in particular, would be the most memorable. Linda began to go in to labor at home and before there was an opportunity to get in the car and head to the hospital, Sam would spring into action and deliver his baby girl himself on the couch in the living room. This would create a special bond between dad and daughter for years to come. While Sam had a special relationship with each of his children, he worked hard for them and loved them more than anything. He was also proud of them, no matter what. After Lara’s birth, Sam and Linda would buy their first home in The Meadows (Meadows Place, TX) and raise their children there. This would become the family home for years to come.
Sam had many interests and one of his favorite things to do was read books. He loved to read books about war e.g., WWI, WWII, etc. so he was very knowledgeable in this area. There would be a sprawling book collection at home that would continue to build over the years. He always had a book in his hand whether he was at home or working. Even in his last days, he continued to read and educate himself. This passion would also lead to an opportunity to join the war effort in Iraq in 2004 as a KBR contractor which definitely scratched an itch to be part of the US military in some way. When he was in his 40’s, he would take up golf which he also enjoyed very much. Being such a great athlete when he was younger, he took to golf as if he had played it his entire life. Hunting was also a passion of his that he enjoyed growing up, an activity that he shared with his father. One of his favorite memories was the time he and his boys went squirrel hunting along with his dad. Three generations of Branch men hunting together made him very proud. Sam also loved to tinker and fix things around the house. While not always successful, they were always learning opportunities, especially for his children. They also made for great stories later on, by the way.
In the end, Sam was a warm, caring, and soft-spoken man who was more intelligent and talented than most. He wasn’t the most talkative in the room, but if you got him going on something, you couldn’t shut him up and he would give you his honest opinion, no filter. That being said, when he said something, it meant something. While he had some huge obstacles to overcome, it certainly doesn’t take away from what he accomplished in his life and the love he had for his family. He overcame many things in his life and fought hard to the very end.
Sam is survived by his wife and partner of 47 years, Linda Branch and his children, Brad, Chris, and Lara, brother Mike and wife Dorie, sister Gail Seegers and husband David, five grandchildren, Journi, Brooke, Paige, Elizabeth, and Paxton, as well as many nieces and nephews and extended family members.
A visitation will be held Friday, July 8, 2022 from 12:30 - 1:30 at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana. Burial will follow at Mt Carmel Cemetery in Florien, Louisiana.
