Melvin Britt Branch, 84

Melvin Britt Branch, 84, passed away peacefully at his North Idaho home on June 22, 2013.

A memorial service will be planned for a later date at the Washington State Veteran’s Cemetery, Medical Lake, Wash.

Born in Caney, Kan.. on July 19, 1928, Mel Branch was the ninth of 10 children in John and Laura Branch’s family. After losing his father at the early age of 12, Mel developed a resilient inner strength and a determination to be successful in life.

Mel graduated from Caney High School in 1947, lettering in football, basketball and track. He attended Kansas State College at Pittsburg on a track scholarship and received recognition for wining the prestigious Two Mile Conference Run his freshman year. With financial resources limited, Mel left college to enlist in the U.S. Navy, joining his six brothers who also served in the military.

His 22-year career in the Navy included service in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. In the Navy, Mel distinguished himself as a “mustang” by rising from an enlisted seaman to lieutenant. Mel served on six ships, the last of which was the aircraft carrier, the USS Coral Sea CVA-43.

Mel’s naval career was highlighted by serving as the officer in charge of the small arms unit in San Diego, Calif.; by winning the Navy Rifle Championship in 1966 at Annapolis, Md.; and by receiving many awards for competitive shooting - most notably, twice achieving the “President’s 100” award competing with an M-1 rifle. Mel was also one of a select few to have earned national recognition as both a distinguished rifleman and distinguished pistol shot.

After his retirement from the Navy, Mel joined the Idaho Department of Fish and Game in 1970. During his tenure with Idaho Fish and Game, Mel was appointed the Region 1 land lmanager, where he supervised the operations of the McArthur Lake Wildlife Management Area and sportsman access sites in Region 1.

As a land manager until his retirement in 1991, Mel had the privilege of working with sportsman groups and private citizens in Bonner and Boundary counties, as well as 4-H, Boy Scouts and school groups.

At 53 Mel returned to competitive running. He experienced great personal satisfaction from participating in the Spokane Bloomsday 10K races as an elite seated runner in his age division. His personal best included third place two years, second place for five years and first place in 1989 and 1996.

Mel’s positive attitude and undefeatable spirit allowed him to achieve many personal goals. He was truly a “self-made” man . . . accomplished and talented; a quiet and kind man . . . a man who appreciated the life God gave him.

Mel is survived by his wife ,Anne Lindstrom-Branch and immediate family members: sister Letha Harris of Neosho, Kan.; brother Marion Branch of Prescott, Ariz.; brother Edward Branch of Plainsville, Kansas; and brother Lemuel Branch of Dewey, Okla.

Mel’s family would like to express a loving thank you to friends and neighbors for their kind thoughts, prayers, and visits during Mel’s lengthy illness as a stroke survivor.

Special gratitude is also expressed to the Bonner Community Hospice staff for the gentle and respectful care given to Mel in his final months.

Charitable donations in Mel’s honor can be made to: Bonner Community Hospice 520 N. 3rd Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Mel’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.