A. Darel Branscom

Alvin "Darel" Branscom Wenatchee, WA (formerly of Mansfield, WA) Alvin “Darel” Branscom, 93, a long-time resident of Mansfield, WA, passed away peacefully in his home in Wenatchee, WA, on March 5, 2019, with his family and friends by his side. Darel made his grand entrance on June 17, 1925, to Elbert “Garth” and Sara “Sally” Umphres Branscom in Coulee City, WA. Together, with his older sister, Betty, he grew up on the family wheat ranch in Mansfield, WA. He attended school there all twelve years, graduating from high school in 1943. As is common in most of rural America, high school sports provide prime time entertainment for the entire community. Of course, Darel capitalized on this opportunity to make his mark on the high school and town basketball teams. His skill and antics on and off the court soon earned him the nickname of “Hollywood”, a fitting title that would follow him his entire life. In 1945, Darel enlisted in the U. S. Army and served his country until November of 1946. Following the end of WWII, he was discharged, returned to his hometown, and resumed farming. On September 28, 1947, he married his high school sweetheart, Lois Lorene Black. The couple remained on the family ranch, raising their four daughters until he retired in 1973. Baseball, basketball, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, bowling, golfing, and piloting his own private plane were all sports and interests in which Darel not only enjoyed, but excelled. However, it was trapshooting that will be remembered vividly as his starring role, since he won his first trapshooting trophy at the Inland Empire Trapshoot in 1949; Class D Singles Winner. As a registered shooter, he was placed at the 27-yard Handicap Line in the late 1950’s. His credits include first place at the Golden West Flyer Shoot in Reno, NV, and attaining the second highest overall composite average in the United States in 1962. His outstanding shooting record qualified him for the 1963 Sports Afield All-American Men’s Trapshooting Team and an invitation to participate in the 1962 Clay Pigeon Final Tryouts for the selection of the United States International Shooting Team held at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. Other achievements included holding an average of .9850 of 1200 ATA targets, receiving the title of High Overall shooter in the Century 21 Tournament, and winning three trophies in the Canadian-U.S. International Shoot. He held a Master’s rating in international shooting, and won numerous High All Around and High Overall awards during his shooting career. He was inducted into the Washington State Trapshooters’ Hall of Fame in 1977. Darel continued to shoot at local gun clubs until he hung up his shotgun at age 90 while still breaking 25 straight. Darel was a member of several trapshooting organizations: the NCW Gun Club in East Wenatchee, WA, a lifetime member of the Amateur Trapshooting Association, and Badger Mt. Lodge #57. Darel is survived by his wife of over 71 years, Lois; daughters: Cindy (Leroy) Thomsen of Chelan, WA, Marsha (Russell) Peterson of Waterville, WA, Lexi (Jim) Wyatt of Warren, OR, and Sally (Roger) Saur of Everson, WA; nine grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Betty Garth (Robert) Templeton. Yes, it was his final walk down the red carpet, but “Hollywood” lived life to the hilt, wrote his own script with no re-writes or regrets, and would undoubtedly insist that the show must go on. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Mansfield United Protestant Church, on Saturday, March 23, 2019, 11:00 a.m., in Mansfield, WA, with Pastor Ric Bayless officiating. Memorials may be made to Mansfield High School “Dollars for Scholars” Scholarship Fund and the Mansfield Ambulance Fund.

Tributes

A. Darel Branscom

June 17, 1925 - March 5, 2019