The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Albert Lynn " Bear " Braneff, Sr., 70, passed from this life Monday, Dec. 8, at his residence.

Born Sept. 19, 1944 in DeQuincy, La., to Elma Christine Howard Braneff and Simon Braneff, he was a resident of Mauriceville, and native of Starks.

Bear worked as a heavy equipment operator in the oil & gas industry and he served his country honorably in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.

Bear was a member of the Silver Oaks Baptist Church in Mauriceville, a lifetime member Veterans of Foreign War Post 2775 in Orange where he served as the Post Commander for three consecutive years, and the Vietnam Veterans Association where he served as President for one year.

Bear was very much a people person who never met a stranger, he enjoyed tinkering with cars, especially his 1967 Shelby Cobra which he enjoyed cruising in parades.

Bear is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Margaret Ruth Wales; sister-in-law Annette Frueh Braneff; nephews, Larry Wesley Wales, Philip and Shon Holden Braneff; niece, Wanda Dean Wales Trahan and his granddaughter, Angel Kellie Albarado.

Those who will most cherish his memory are his son, Albert Lynn Braneff, Jr .; daughters, Chantell Lynn Braneff Hoyt of Mauriceville, Cynthia Kellie Braneff and fiancé, Chad Blanchard of Houma, LA and Jolie Ann Braneff LaRose of Katy; brothers, Simon Eugene Braneff and Larry Ray Braneff and wife, Rebecca, all of Starks, Ronald Lee Braneff of Hearne, and Prentiss Holden Braneff of Starks; sister, Christina Rose Braneff Felice and husband, William of Starks; grandchildren, Kyle Levi Braneff, Gabrielle Lynne LaRose, Kathryn Aimee McElroy, Christine Kellie and Cullin Paul Blanchard, Garrett Levi LaRose, Gavin Lee LaRose and Cade Paul Blanchard.

Bear is also survived by numerous members of his extended family and friends.

Graveside services with military honors to honor Bear’s life will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday, Dec. 12, at the Clark Cemetery in Starks. Officiating will be the Rev. Ed Rawls, pastor of the Silver Oaks Baptist Church in Mauriceville. The procession to the cemetery will depart Dorman Funeral Home at 10:00 A.M.

A gathering of Bear’s family and friends for a time of reflection will be from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Thursday at Dorman Funeral Home in Orange.

Condolences may be expressed for the family atwww.dormanfuneralhome.com.