RICHARD LARNER BRANNAN

RICHARD LARNER "RICK" BRANNAN Memorial services for Richard Larner "Rick" Brannan, 74, will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15 at First Christian Church in Marietta with Pastor Lawrence Anderson officiating. Interment will follow in the Lakeview Cemetery, Marietta under the direction of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Marietta. The family will host visitation on Tuesday, March 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Born March 11, 1948 in Gainesville, Texas, the son of William Raymond "Bill" and Bette Ruth (Beindorf) Brannan, he died on Friday, March 10, 2023 at his residence surrounded by family. Rick and Melinda Gayle Sampson were married on March 17, 2017. A 1966 graduate of Marietta High School, Rick continued his education at Murray State College, receiving an Associates Degree in Animal Science and then received a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Engineering from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. These degrees served him well during his lifetime of helping others, farming, and ranching his properties in Loves Valley. Rick served his country in the Army National Guard from 1971 to 1975. During that service he received the Outstanding Graduate Leader Award and Rifle Marksmanship awards. He received many honors and accolades for his community service and public interests. During his lifetime, Rick was an active square dance club member, a founding member of the Red River Tractor Pullers Association, a lifetime member of the Oklahoma Cattleman's Association, a Noble Foundation cooperator and also served on the Marietta Schools Board of Education for 18 years. He was named an Advocate for Agriculture, participating in "Farmers Speak Out" and the American Agriculture Council in 1982. Rick's life was full of remarkable times and interesting stories. Over the years, he helped form the Love County Search and Rescue team, volunteered with the Enville Fire Department, supplied and pulled the Marietta High School Band equipment trailer, was the first Love County farmer to grow asparagus, taught welding at North Central Texas College, used and abused the first Caterpillar Challenger tractor to give feedback to the company's engineers, and even spent several years driving a modified Dodge Power Wagon "Dune Schooner" providing thrill rides to tourists on the sands of Lake Michigan. Additionally, hundreds of local people called on Rick's expertise and collection of unique equipment to escape mud and trouble. His Unimog or massive Autocar truck never failed to extract those in need, including the railroads who occasionally called on him to recover and haul damaged railcars. He was known as "the guy to call" when you had something big or awkward to move, or even to demolish buildings. Rick could build anything and enjoyed engineering solutions for everyone. According to many, "when Rick made it, he made it to outlast you." Rick was preceded in death by his parents, son Zachary G. Brannan, and brother William "Bruce" Brannan. He is survived by wife Melinda of the home; daughters, Marcia Brannan of Marietta, Sara Brannan-Goodson and husband Trey of Marietta, Cathryn Brannan and Nathan Grijalva of Marietta, and Abby Ford and husband Chase of Marietta; and his four grandchildren, Axel Pierce, Betsey Kate Miller, and Slade and Timber Campbell. Rick's large family included the Fincher boys (Mike, Ernie, Joe Dale and Jimmy Don, who he considered his brothers); Patsy Fincher; Taylor Stokes and sons Ridge and Jack Stokes; Cole and Alyson Stokes and daughter Jaxee Stokes; Margaret and Eddie Sampson; Branson Morgan, and the many Brannan and Beindorf cousins he loved so dearly. Serving as pallbearers are Mike Fincher, Ernie Fincher, Gary Don Campbell, Josh Bazor, Mike Cohoon, and Herbert Moore. Honorary bearers include Dr. David Nichols, Joe Dale Fincher, Jody Fincher, Terry Minyard, Lewis Douglass, Andre "Pupjoint" Blackburn, Becky Taylor, JD Yarbrough, Jerry Burnett and the Ayala family. Memorial contributions can be made in Rick's honor to the Shady Dale Fire Department. Online guest book: wattsfuneralhome.com