Gene Wayne Branam

Gene Wayne Branam, age 73, died suddenly at his home Sunday, Morning, March 1, 2015. Gene was born in Newport, where he lived until he and his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, when he was nine. Not wanting to leave his home town he promised to get back to Newport as soon as he could. After graduating from West High School in Cleveland, he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served four years. He served as a motion picture photographer, filming documentaries in Washington, DC and traveling with the Marine Corps football team. He was also sent to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. After completing his military tour of duty, he returned to Tennessee, where he enrolled at the University of Tennessee, majoring in business administration. He later worked for Dun and Bradstreet, living in Knoxville and Chattanooga for several years. He then worked for Hawk Grocery Company in Newport for many years before becoming retail sales manager for Lodge Manufacturing in South Pittsburgh, Tennessee, from which he retired in 2007. He was a member of the Cocke County Republican Party, and served on the District Advisory Board. He also served as chairman of the Book Committee which compiled, Cocke County, Tennessee, and Its People. He loved history and spoke to several local clubs and organizations to encourage the accurate teaching of History in the education field. Gene loved hiking, camping, traveling, reading, genealogy, and politics. During his retirement years, he enjoyed visiting friends to discuss history and current events over a cup of coffee. Gene loved his community and served on the Library Board and Foster Care Review Board for several years. He was a member of Southside Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anderson A. Branam and Georgia Newcome Branam; brother, Floyd A. Branam; sister, Lois Sprouse; niece, Kim Ball and nephew, Donnie Gray of California. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Linda McMahan Branam; son, David McMahan Branam; daughter, Lisa Marie (Michael) Webb; grandson, and joy of his life, Gabriel; sister, Claudia Branam Gray of Sacramento, California; sister-in-law, Mary Carlise Branam; nieces, Linda (Bradley) Britton, Georgia, Sandra (Marshall) Knight, Indiana; Julie (Jimmy) Tritt, Knoxville; Jamie (Tom) Kridler; nephews, Ronnie, David and Chuckie Gray, California; also other family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 7:30 pm Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Manes Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Harold Ball and David Ramsay officiating. Burial will be held at 11: 00 am on March 4, 2015 in Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:30 pm at Manes Funeral Home prior to the funeral service. Family and friends may sign the guest register on line at: www.manesfuneralhome.com Manes Funeral Home in charge.

Gene Wayne Branam

April 30, 1941 - March 1, 2015