Leslie Branch Obituary (2012 - 2012)

There are people we cannot live without, who we have to let go. The sun has set on Jack\u0027s life\u0027"he died Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at Medcenter One. His wishes will be respected and there will be no funeral or similar ceremony. Jack will be buried in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Jack (Leslie Edison) Branch was born to Ruth and Will Branch in Cicero, Indiana. He quit school at age 16 to help relieve financial pressure on the family. He joined the circus, performing on the African Dip, then rode the rails, eventually ending up in North Dakota where he worked on a ranch owned by his uncle, near Sentinel Butte. When WWII was declared, he hitch-hiked back to Indiana and enlisted in the Army. He served in the Philippines and Papua, New Guinea. He was in the Battle of Luzon and received the Bronze Star for Valor, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, in addition to other decorations. Jack didn\u0027t discuss how or why, but he was on his way to Japan when the Enola Gay changed the course of the war. He was honorably discharged and returned to the States. Jack later received his GED and qualified for membership in MENSA. He lived a life filled with self education, adventure, and escapades. He retired from Capitol City Trucking at the age of 73. Jack leaves his wife, Carma; a sister, Pauline; and two brothers, Art and Joe; children and step-children: Rick (Terri) Branch, Richard (Char) Rohan, Tim (Sherry) Moore, and Chris (Gary) Brendel; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and Nobel the Great Pyrenees. Welcoming him home are his parents, five siblings, two daughters, two grandchildren, and several Great Pyrenees mountain dogs, and Montgomery the Newfoundland. Please honor Jack\u0027s memory by doing a favor for a stranger, fighting for a cause, and showing compassion for others. Memorials may be given to the Central Dakota Humane Society, 2104 37th Street, Mandan, ND 58554, or Anne Carlson Center, 701 3rd Street NW, Jamestown, ND 58401-2963. Dear Jack: we are only separated by time left here on earth The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.