John Joseph Branson Jr.

Commander, U. S. Navy (retired)

John (Jack) Branson passed away on May 6, 2021 in Monterey, California. He was born in Mercy Hospital, San Diego, on April 16, 1928, the son of John (Jerry) and Genevieve Branson.

Jack loved life and lived it to the fullest. He and Joann raised a family of five children who blessed them with seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

As a typical Navy Junior, Jack had an interesting school history. Kindergarten and 1st Grade in Honolulu; 2nd Grade in the Panama Canal Zone; 3rd Grade in Annapolis; then 4th through 8th Grades, plus two years of High School in Brooklyn; Junior Year in Ann Arbor with most of his Senior Year in Annapolis with a short break to attend a military academy prep school in Washington, D. C. In June 1946, he walked from his home in Annapolis to the U. S. Naval Academy and was sworn into the Navy where he was to serve for the next thirty years.

Jack was a pilot’s pilot. His Navy logbook showed he flew a variety of fixed-wing propeller planes from the SNJ Texan and F-6F Hellcat through the prop fighter, the FG-1D Corsair. Later in his career he transitioned to jet-powered aircraft and flew the F9F Cougar and then the A4-D Skyhawk.

For many years after his Navy career, he continued to fly General Aviation aircraft with the Navy Flying Club, Monterey, where he served as Manager for several years.

After his Navy career, Jack taught “Airport Occupations” classes in the Regional Occupational Program and also taught private pilot ground school at Monterey Peninsula College. Two prominent endeavors took up much of his spare time: Serving with the local Knights of Columbus organization where he rose to the position of Grand Night, and assisting his wife Joann run her religious education business: SEEK, a Scripture Class, Inc.

Jack will be missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 67 years, Joann.

Jack’s ashes were interred in a private ceremony at San Carlos Cemetery on Friday, May 14, 2021. However, the family would very much like to hear from you with notes and memories of Jack!