James Ronald Branson

James Ronald (Ron) Branson passed away on Thursday, October 1, 2015 in his home in Taft, CA at the age of 78. Born in Doniphan, Missouri, he was the second child and youngest son of Rex and Mary Branson. Ron grew up in Fellows, attended Midway Elementary and the Taft Union High School. He worked for Arco until his retirement. He found that retirement wasn't all it was cracked up to be, so he started his own street sweeping service. After he sold that business, he drove trucks and did odd jobs for various oilfield companies to stay busy. In his free time, Ron loved riding his quad and looking for deer. On road trips, he could spot deer from a moving vehicle better than anyone. The only thing he loved more than camping, hunting, and fishing was pestering his children and grandchildren with good hard pokes to the side with his finger and tickling them until they peed their pants. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his wife Glenda Elzene Branson, and his grandson, Jason Isbell. Ron is survived by his brother Paul Branson and sister-in-law Ina Branson, his sister Caroline Aughe, his children Cindy Hawkins, Gail & Steve Fields, Donnie & Sheila Sivils, and Randy & Tami Sivils. Papa Beaver was loved by his grandchildren Greg & Hennie Hawkins, Melissa & Ken Petty, Brandon & Ashley Farkas, Kristin & John Moniz, Jessica Rutledge, Matt Lookadoo, Keith Lemmons, Nick Sivils, Kayla Sivils, and Dylan Sivils. His 23 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren will miss out on his good hard pokes to their sides. A life as large as Ron's touched many including his many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who are too numerous to list.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 2:30p.m. at the West Side District Cemetery in Taft. Should family and friends desire, donations may be made to the West Kern Oil Museum in lieu of flowers.

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