Richard Branch Obituary

Richard Leo Branch passed away Friday, May 23, 2025, at Boone Hospital, after a long fight with cancer.
Richard Leo Branch was born on December 17, 1944, near Holt Summit, MO, the son of the late Charles Edward Branch and the late Ethel Summers Branch.
He took his first horseback ride, tucked in his father's arms, when he was three days old and he loved horses all his life. As a teen, he worked as a trail guide on the RS Ranch and often rode his horse to the Bridge Drive-in Movie in Jefferson City. Later in life he raised and trained many registered quarter horses and passed his love of horses on to his children and grandchildren.
He was a good-natured man who made friends everywhere he went. He was generous with his money and his time, always willing to buckle down to do whatever needed to be done. He was also always ready to play. All his grandchildren have fond memories of laughter and fun times with Grandpa.
He raised beef cattle on a farm east of Fulton and worked at the A.P. Green Refractory in Mexico for 37 years.
Richard Branch married Carolyn Paul on December 15, 1963. She survives at the home. Others left to mourn his passing include children: Kenneth Branch, Hope and Ray Raps, Amy and Shayne Campbell, grandchildren: Kevin Smith, Chelsea and Dylan Burke, Lucas Raps, Shayna Campbell, all of Fulton, Dalton and Aisja Campbell of Fairbanks, Alaska. He was blessed with five great grandchildren: Hunter, Noelle, and Cash Smith, Harper and Abraham Burke.
Richard is also survived by his sister, Ruby Branch Keeling, of Fulton and by a special cousin who was raised like a brother, Keith Caldwell, of Jefferson City, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Maupin Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 12:00 pm with Pastor Bruce Williamson officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until the time of the service at the funeral home. Interment will be held in Bull Cemetery in Holts Summit, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to American Cancer Society, c/o Maupin Funeral Home, Fulton, MO 65251.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.maupinfuneralhome.com
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