Dad was born Melvin Merle Branson (but was always called Merle) in Innisfail, Alberta on June 27, 1929, son of Ray and Lucille Branson and passed away on February 17, 2024 in Brooks, Alberta.  He completed high school and then attended S.A.I.T. and became a Heavy Duty Mechanic.  Dad and mom (Iris) were married on January 5, 1953 and had five children together.  They farmed at Spruce View, Alberta, until their divorce in August, 1965.  In 1966 Dad moved to Sunnyvale, California, where he joined his brother Ivan and wife Ina and sister Audrey.  He worked in electronics and as a mechanic while there.  He then moved to Surrey, B.C. and married Jean Martin.  He worked as a Heavy Duty Mechanic, until retiring in 1990.

Dad took early retirement and moved to an acreage in Enderby, B.C.  Dad always loved playing or watching baseball.  One of his greatest passions was getting his recreational pilot's license and flying his Bonanza plane.  He also loved to travel in his holiday trailer and took many trips to Texas to see his cousins.  Dad loved to tinker in his shop and made many projects from wood.  Many of the Alberta relatives looked forward to fall, when Dad would make the trip out with cases of apples, homemade raspberry jam, canned salmon (that he had caught) and banana bread made by him.  Dad was great story-teller and had an amazing memory.  He was predeceased by his parents, Ray and Lucille and siblings, George, Loyal, Chuck and Earl.  Dad is survived by his siblings, Ivan, Audrey and Jim; sister-in-law Della; five children, Rosemary (Ed) Chapman, Kerry (Gloria) Branson, Cindy Malaka, Randy (Zena) Branson and Walter (Carrie) Branson and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. May he rest in peace.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 27 at 2:00 PM from the Knox Presbyterian Church, Bassano. Rev. Peter Baek officiating. Interment to follow at Bassano Cemetery.