Anthony Dean Branscom

Tony Branscom went home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 29, 2023. While we mourn for him here on earth, we know that he is greatly enjoying his heavenly reward. Tony was born in Middlesboro, Kentucky on March 21, 1947 to Mattie and Ovid Branscom, and raised by his mother and loving step-father, Kenneth Lambert. He lived in Kentucky until he and his family moved to Florida when he was in middle school. He graduated from Eau Gallie High School in 1965. He started community college, but chose to join the Marine Corps in 1966. Tony proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, serving from 1966 to 1972, as an Aerology Man with a final rank of Sergeant E-5. Tony was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Washington, DC, with other veterans as part of the Central Valley Honor Flight in May, 2022, where he was able to visit the US Marine Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and his favorite, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Tony was the epitome of "Once a Marine, Always a Marine," representing his military service proudly through clothing, hats, stories, flag ceremonies, and always standing for the American Flag. Tony's life took him from Kentucky to Florida, from Vietnam to Okinawa, from Orange County to Visalia. He worked many jobs in his life from selling snakes out of his school locker, chasing gators off the fairways in Florida, to predicting the weather in Vietnam, to cost-accounting for many companies, to his favorite position as an educator. In 1998, he married his best friend, Dianna, who connected him with his world of church and teaching. Tony loved to teach, spending time teaching elementary school and teaching at Corcoran State Prison, as well as serving the Lord in teaching children in the Planet 56 program at Visalia Community Church of Christ for seventeen years, which in particular brought him joy. Whenever he had the opportunity to speak at church, in preparing a communion talk or a devotional, Tony would dedicate several hours poring over scriptures and doing research to bring a message that he could be proud of. In his free time, Tony enjoyed growing tomatoes, taking photos, golfing, riding his Harley, and was an avid fan of whatever baseball team was in the lead, or in more recent history, whichever team Visalia local, Stephen Vogt, was playing for. He also loved spending time with his grandkids, attending whatever activities they were involved in. His grandchildren especially loved to read to their Papa, as he gleefully shared every book he could with them. Tony is survived by his wife Dianna Branscom of Visalia, children Scott Branscom (Andrea), Shannon Shipley (Lance), Brad Duerksen (Colleen), and Kelli Feehan (Calvin), and grandchildren Derrik (Brooke) Ward, Marissa and Andrew Branscom, Carson and Kensi Feehan, as well as his sister Jackie Lambert-Ward, his brother Kenny Lambert, and his dog Sammi. Tony's family would like to thank the caring staff at Delta Nursing in Visalia, who went out of their way to make Tony's last days comfortable. Tony will be laid to rest with a graveside service at the Visalia District Cemetery at 11 am on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023 with a memorial service to follow at Visalia Community Church of Christ. Tony will be fondly remembered and greatly missed. Viewing will be held 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 5th, 2023 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Graveside services will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, September 5th, 2023 at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W Goshen Ave, Visalia. Celebration Of Life services will be held 12:00 PM Tuesday, September 5th, 2023 at Visalia Community Church of Christ, 3838 S. Court St., Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Anthony Dean Branscom

March 21, 1947 - August 29, 2023