Donald Ray Branum

Memorial services for Mr. Donald Ray Branum, 86, of Gilmer, Texas will be held at 2:00 P.M., on Saturday, February 11, 2017 in the Chapel of Croley Funeral Home, with Bro Neil Thornburgh officiating. Mr. Branum passed away Friday morning, February 3, 2017 in a Longview hospital.
Donald Branum was born on July 26, 1930 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to A.A. Branum and Ruby Nell Summers. He married Phyllis Ingram on June 24, 1990, in Waxahachie, Texas. He served in the United States Navy and stood guard for President Truman at Key West, where he had the opportunity to meet and shake hands with the president. Mr. Branum was a retired Line Technician having worked for 30 years for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, served as Mayor for Clarkton, Missouri, and was a charter member of the American Legion Post 320 in Gilmer.
Mr. Branum is survived by his wife, Phyllis Branum of Gilmer, Texas; sons, Lee Branum and wife, Rosa, David Branum, and Robert Burns and wife, Francie; daughters, Peggy LaFrank and Karen Fowler and husband, Charles; grandchildren, Dawn Marrentette, Jared LaFrank, Brandi Blair, Jake Burns, Mark Burns, Katelyn Fowler, Nicolas Fowler, Lance Branum, Rosele Mason, Jacob Branum, and Tony Branum; and 18 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, John Branum.
The family requests donations be made to American Legion, 206 Silver Alley Gilmer, Texas 75644 or to a charity of your choice.