Forrest Gene "Duke" Braselton

Forrest Gene "Duke" Braselton, 73, of Nacogdoches passed away September 18, 2010. Duke was the eldest child of Royce Duncan Braselton and Cynthia Gregory Braselton. He was born October 17, 1936, in Beaumont, Texas, and lived all of his life in East Texas. At an early age, his father gave him the nickname "Duke," by which he was known for the rest of his life. Duke's mother, Cynthia Braselton, was widowed, when Duke and his sisters were quite young. Duke greatly admired his mother, and he was very close to her, until her death at the age of 100. He was married to Margaret Minard Braselton for 30 years. Duke graduated in 1954 from Nacogdoches High School and was a graduate of Stephen F. Austin and Baylor University School of Law. He made many lasting friendships in Nacogdoches and at Baylor that were very important to him throughout his life. Duke practiced law in the East Texas area for almost fifty years. He was with the Garrison, Renfrow, Zelesky, Cornelius and Berry firm in Lufkin. In 1975, wanting to return to his hometown, he opened his own law office in Nacogdoches. Duke was truly a larger-than-life person, with a heart of gold, to so many people. He most enjoyed being surrounded by his family and also took great joy in being host to his wide circle of friends. He delighted in annual summer trips with his family to the Gulf and later with his children and grandchildren to Crested Butte, Colorado, and winter ski trips to New Mexico. Duke was a very active member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and he was instrumental in helping many people along the road to recovery, by his actions, words and good deeds. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. He especially enjoyed being part of his Sunday school class led by Mark Simmons. He is survived by his children, Ann Claire Braselton Staneff (and husband, Steve), Royce Duncan Braselton II and Cameron Minard Braselton (and girlfriend, Denise San Nicolas); his grandchildren, Taylor Ann Braselton, Margaret Ashlyn Braselton (and their mother, Shawna Smith Braselton) and Simone Nadia Staneff, and his sisters, Valerie Braselton and Sue Braselton Woodruff (and husband, Thad). Duke was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Minard Braselton; his parents, Royce and Cynthia Braselton, and his granddaughter, Nadia Margaret Staneff. In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 411 North St., Nacogdoches, Texas, or Nacogdoches High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund in the name of Forrest G. Braselton or his mother, Cynthia Braselton, c/o NHS Alumni Association, P.O. Box 632152, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75963. Pallbearers will be Sam Bass, Milton Pitts, George Chandler, Steve Cox, Mac Gann, John Heath, Bryan Scott and Robert Shirley. Honorary pallbearers will be Ed Mac Benchoff, Clarence Gound, Judge Jack Pierce, Dock Lazarine, Mark Simmons, Terry Morris and Craig Stripling. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 25, 2010, at First Baptist Church in Nacogdoches; Dr. Allen Reed officiating. To offer condolences or sign an online register book, please log onto www.lairdfh.net. Laird Funeral Home.