Dec.
20, 1942 - July 29, 2010MISHAWAKA - John Thomas "Tom" Branch of Crawford, Colorado, died July 29th in Delta County Hospital at age 67. He was born December 20, 1942, in Plymouth, Indiana, of John and Olive (Bishop) Branch, and had spent his school years in Mishawaka, Indiana. As a boy, his pastimes included sandlot baseball and shooting carp with his bow in the Twin Branch Bayou. During his teens Tom enjoyed participating in the youth group at Gospel Center Church in South Bend and graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1961. At Bethel College he began discovering his love of history and leadership ability as class president. After he was awarded his B.S. in History degree, he began a 10-year career in public schools, teaching American History in 11th grade. He also earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI, and continuing studying history for enjoyment all his life. For three years Tom worked as manager of the credit department at Crown International, a manufacturer of hi-tech electronics equipment in Elkhart, IN, then he began a career in the book industry in 1979, managing a small chain of Christian bookstores for Bethel Publishing in Elkhart. When the company down-sized in 1986, he began serving at WFRN - Progressive Broadcasting Co., a Christian radio network that now covers 31 counties in Indiana and Michigan. Before he retired in 1995, Tom also gave valuable service on two corporate boards of directors and several non-profit boards, where his keen sense of the "big picture" and problem-solving strengths were great assets. In 1993 Tom began 10 years of service as the Chairman of the Board for his church, St. Mark Missionary in Osceola. During that time new staff was hired, the congregation grew from 150 to 600, and a very significant building program began. During the same time he served six years as a volunteer with Crown Financial Ministries, a non-profit organization (now worldwide) teaching people how to manage their money God's way by learning and living Biblical principles. He pioneered this ministry in northern Indiana and trained many small group Crown Bible study leaders from dozens of churches, with countless changed lives and families. From his mother, who was a Bible scholar and authored over a thousand articles in Christian publications, Tom picked up a love for God's Word and a gift for writing. He studied the Bible for personal growth and to share its riches with others in classes in several churches. He also planned and led many small groups in homes for spiritual growth and discipleship. Tom married Kay Moore in 1967 and they lived in Indiana most of their married life. Together they raised two sons: Kevin Branch, who married Leah Gagnon and lives near Marion, Indiana, with his children, Kristin, Mary, Aubrey, Madelynn, Peter and Hannah; and Myron Branch, who married Becky Avery and is living in Nappanee, Indiana, where they are raising four children, Ashlyn, Hudson, Camryn and Brooklyn. Tom's mother died in 1988 and his father in 2002. He had one brother, Michael Branch, who died in 2004. After his family was gone, Tom and his wife Kay relocated to western Colorado for health. They enjoyed the mountains and the wonderful people who became their friends, community and family of faith there. Recently Tom and Kay celebrated 43 years of marriage; she continues living in the Colorado Rockies. Tom was a quiet, deep pool of a man who loved God, enjoyed sharing with others the riches of His Word, and was a quiet behind-the-scenes servant for Jesus. Tom will be greatly missed by his family and friends, for his life was an inspiration and encouragement to many. The Tom Branch family will be receiving friends at his home church, St. Mark Missionary (on Bittersweet Road in Osceola, 1/4 mile north of McKinley Ave.) from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 15th. An open memorial service is planned for 4:00 p.m. inthe church to celebrate his homegoing, with his friend and former associate, Rev. William McVay, officiating. This will be followed by an open fellowship supper. His body will rest at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola, where there will be a private ceremony of committal for his family. Gifts in Tom's memory may be given for Andrea's Home of Hope & Joy, a children's home in Bolivia that he delighted to support (envelopes will be available at the church for Love in Action Int'l Ministries, 14851 Jeffrey Road, #152, Irvine, CA 92618). Rieth-Rohrer-Ehret Funeral Home, Goshen, is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.rrefh.com.