Jerry Branch

On July 8, 2006, the Lord called Jerry L. Branch, 72, home.

Jerry was born Dec. 21, 1933, to Ida Margaret and Elmer Lloyd Branch. He grew up in Enumclaw, Wash. As a young adult, he served his country as a Naval air traffic controller during the Korean War. He returned home to marry his high school sweetheart, Sylvia Blaker.

While starting his family, he pursued his dreams of becoming a geologist, graduating with a master's degree from the University of Washington in 1958. His career took him on an adventure that included working for Humble Oil Co. in Texas and becoming a candidate for NASA during the Apollo Program.

He always dreamed of becoming an independent oil and gas producer, and when his "tie wouldn't tie" one morning, he abruptly left the corporate world, packed up his pregnant wife, three kids and began a journey that took him to Shelby in 1965.

He was a consulting geologist while he and his wife started Branch Oil and Gas Co. Through his extensive research and mapping skills, he was able to build the business to become one of the top independent natural gas producers in Montana.

Jerry shared his love of the outdoors, traveling, camping, hunting, fishing and exploring the San Juan Islands in Washington with his wife Cindy.

He passed this love as well as the importance of family values, education, hard work and being a good steward of the land on to his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother and his first wife, Sylvia, and her parents.

Survivors include his wife Cindy (Dills), of Columbia Falls; daughters Shelby Akane and husband Shawn, of Seeley Lake, Jeni Frank and husband Dan, of Whitefish, and Valenna Becker and husband Jim, of Shelby; his son Colby Branch and wife Jill, of Billings; 11 grandchildren; his brother Marvin Branch and wife Joyce, of Enumclaw, Wash.; his sister Mavis Scott and husband Dick, of Thompson Falls; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Memorial services were held July 15, 2006, at the United Methodist Church in Shelby, with Pastor Dolly Collins officiating, and July 17, 2006, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls, with Pastor Terry Forke officiating.

Memorials are suggested to Montana Hope Project, P.O. Box 5927, Helena MT 59604.