Obituary for Ned F. Branch Jr.
Ned F. Branch, Jr.
To every thing there is a season,
and a time for every purpose
under heaven . . .
For Ned F. Branch, Jr., 78, who passed from this life on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at his home in Interlachen with wife Monique and son Matt by his side, his first season began with his birth on March 14, 1944, in Savannah, GA. During his early years, he graduated from Savannah High School and Armstrong Junior College in Savannah, was a member of Sigma Kappa Chi Fraternity and also attended the University of Florida.
In 1974, it was his time to marry the love of his life, Monique, and begin the family experience he would cherish for the next 48 years. Three months before his second wedding anniversary, Ned began another association and long-term source of pride when he joined Hudson Pulp & Paper Corp. (now Georgia-Pacific since 1979) in Palatka, ultimately serving as Information Manager. During his 31 years with the mill until his retirement in 2006, he participated in and contributed to a growing computerized data processing system and held responsibility for numerous business and production operations and reporting capabilities.
While part of the mill family, Ned was an enthusiastic member of the cooking team for many years, brought cheer and presents to mill and community children as Santa Claus at the mill’s then-annual Christmas Town and, after his retirement, served on the Hudson/G-P Retirement Committee.
As an active father while his three young sons attended local schools, he coached their t-ball teams for almost a decade and later, along with Monique, made it a point to attend their games in various sports, whether played at home or away.
After Monique joined Ned in retirement, they both experienced the trip of a lifetime during an expedition to Alaska with friends Mary and Steve Saucier and Robert and Sharon Fridy. They also spent years together supporting community causes such as the March of Dimes March for Babies, for which their twin grandsons were ambassadors, and the Putnam First Cancer Fund Trivia Tournament, where they helped raise thousands of dollars to benefit local cancer patients.
A member of Robert McIntire Methodist Church in Savannah prior to moving to Florida, Ned continued to practice his faith with Monique for 38 years at Christ Independent Methodist Church in Palatka, where, ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬at various times, he served on the Board of Stewards and as Sunday school superintendent.
Through all of the seasons of his life, Ned was known for his ready smile, robust laugh and friendly nature. The first to answer the call for help from any family member, friend or neighbor, he was a fount of care and compassion.
As Ned faced his own challenges during an all-too-brief, rapidly declining bout with dementia, he maintained his affable personality, continued to delight in simple pleasures like his daily Klondike Bar, and cooperated as best he could with the surroundings and circumstances that no longer made sense to him. In spite of all he endured, he would still attempt to express his big heart and kind soul until his last breath.
Ned was preceded in death by his father, Ned Branch, Sr.; mother, Dorothy Branch Waters; step-father, James Waters; two sisters, Jean Marie Seckinger (Dusty) and Donna McCoy; Caroline Hurst (Nana); and his beloved retirement-days canine companion Jazzy.
Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Monique Branch; three sons, Ned Branch III (Kriston) of Cape Canaveral, FL, Matt Branch, Sr. (Lindsay) of Interlachen, FL, and Adam Branch (Amy) of South Bend, IN; sister, Jan Brantley (Thom) of Savannah, GA. Ned was known as Granddaddy to 11 grandchildren he loved dearly: Savannah Branch, Matthew Brian Branch, Jr., Haylee Branch, Nick Branch, Jackson Potter, Noah Branch, Micah Branch, Elijah Branch, Mati Branch, Jeremiah Branch, and Breanna Branch. As well as several nieces and nephews.
During Ned’s decline, a host of family, friends and neighbors too numerous to mention here (but you know who you are) rallied to provide invaluable caregiving assistance and moral support. Deep gratitude goes to all of you as well as to the care team from Community Hospice & Palliative Care of Putnam County, whose genuine concern and expert palliative measures made a world of difference for Ned and his family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Community Hospice, 5111 Crill Ave., Palatka, FL 32177.
With his purpose among us lovingly and selflessly fulfilled, we now celebrate Ned Branch as a man who generously shared with all of us the best of each of his seasons as a devoted husband, a proud father, a doting grandfather, a fervent congregant, a steadfast friend . . . a rare someone who lived life to the fullest, gave it his all and now leaves a legacy of love and kindness, example and forgiveness, meaning and accomplishment, faith and reverence, and hope and redemption.
The funeral will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 5, 2022 at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka with Rev. Amos Price and Pastor Michael Hudson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Memorial Service.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Ned’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
To every thing there is a season,
and a time for every purpose
under heaven . . .
For Ned F. Branch, Jr., 78, who passed from this life on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at his home in Interlachen with wife Monique and son Matt by his side, his first season began with his birth on March 14, 1944, in Savannah, GA. During his early years, he graduated from Savannah High School and Armstrong Junior College in Savannah, was a member of Sigma Kappa Chi Fraternity and also attended the University of Florida.
In 1974, it was his time to marry the love of his life, Monique, and begin the family experience he would cherish for the next 48 years. Three months before his second wedding anniversary, Ned began another association and long-term source of pride when he joined Hudson Pulp & Paper Corp. (now Georgia-Pacific since 1979) in Palatka, ultimately serving as Information Manager. During his 31 years with the mill until his retirement in 2006, he participated in and contributed to a growing computerized data processing system and held responsibility for numerous business and production operations and reporting capabilities.
While part of the mill family, Ned was an enthusiastic member of the cooking team for many years, brought cheer and presents to mill and community children as Santa Claus at the mill’s then-annual Christmas Town and, after his retirement, served on the Hudson/G-P Retirement Committee.
As an active father while his three young sons attended local schools, he coached their t-ball teams for almost a decade and later, along with Monique, made it a point to attend their games in various sports, whether played at home or away.
After Monique joined Ned in retirement, they both experienced the trip of a lifetime during an expedition to Alaska with friends Mary and Steve Saucier and Robert and Sharon Fridy. They also spent years together supporting community causes such as the March of Dimes March for Babies, for which their twin grandsons were ambassadors, and the Putnam First Cancer Fund Trivia Tournament, where they helped raise thousands of dollars to benefit local cancer patients.
A member of Robert McIntire Methodist Church in Savannah prior to moving to Florida, Ned continued to practice his faith with Monique for 38 years at Christ Independent Methodist Church in Palatka, where, ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬at various times, he served on the Board of Stewards and as Sunday school superintendent.
Through all of the seasons of his life, Ned was known for his ready smile, robust laugh and friendly nature. The first to answer the call for help from any family member, friend or neighbor, he was a fount of care and compassion.
As Ned faced his own challenges during an all-too-brief, rapidly declining bout with dementia, he maintained his affable personality, continued to delight in simple pleasures like his daily Klondike Bar, and cooperated as best he could with the surroundings and circumstances that no longer made sense to him. In spite of all he endured, he would still attempt to express his big heart and kind soul until his last breath.
Ned was preceded in death by his father, Ned Branch, Sr.; mother, Dorothy Branch Waters; step-father, James Waters; two sisters, Jean Marie Seckinger (Dusty) and Donna McCoy; Caroline Hurst (Nana); and his beloved retirement-days canine companion Jazzy.
Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Monique Branch; three sons, Ned Branch III (Kriston) of Cape Canaveral, FL, Matt Branch, Sr. (Lindsay) of Interlachen, FL, and Adam Branch (Amy) of South Bend, IN; sister, Jan Brantley (Thom) of Savannah, GA. Ned was known as Granddaddy to 11 grandchildren he loved dearly: Savannah Branch, Matthew Brian Branch, Jr., Haylee Branch, Nick Branch, Jackson Potter, Noah Branch, Micah Branch, Elijah Branch, Mati Branch, Jeremiah Branch, and Breanna Branch. As well as several nieces and nephews.
During Ned’s decline, a host of family, friends and neighbors too numerous to mention here (but you know who you are) rallied to provide invaluable caregiving assistance and moral support. Deep gratitude goes to all of you as well as to the care team from Community Hospice & Palliative Care of Putnam County, whose genuine concern and expert palliative measures made a world of difference for Ned and his family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Community Hospice, 5111 Crill Ave., Palatka, FL 32177.
With his purpose among us lovingly and selflessly fulfilled, we now celebrate Ned Branch as a man who generously shared with all of us the best of each of his seasons as a devoted husband, a proud father, a doting grandfather, a fervent congregant, a steadfast friend . . . a rare someone who lived life to the fullest, gave it his all and now leaves a legacy of love and kindness, example and forgiveness, meaning and accomplishment, faith and reverence, and hope and redemption.
The funeral will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 5, 2022 at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka with Rev. Amos Price and Pastor Michael Hudson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Memorial Service.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Ned’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.