Benjamin Thomas Branham Sr. (Ben Cutter, Home Chicken)
Sept. 8, 1945-July 30, 2025

He passed away on July 30, 2025 in Eureka,.

Our treasured husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend Benjamin Branham Sr. was born in Eureka, CA, to Adam Branham and Julia Westerman Branham on September 8, 1945. He was the baby brother of his three sisters: Mary, Becky and Maude.

Ben attended Hoopa Valley High School. While in school, he enjoyed playing football and participating in woodshop. He married Sharon Campbell on April 23, 1965. Starting a family of his own, he lived in Willow Creek and Grants Pass for short periods of time. He eventually moved home to Hoopa, where he lived the rest of his life.

He had three sons and, later in life, raised his grandchildren as well. Ben began his career working as a maintenance man for the Hoopa Valley Tribe temporarily, until he pursued a career as a woodsman. He was a logger for over 40 years. Ben also worked side jobs in construction, carpentry, mechanics and arboriculture. He was a hardworking man who valued everything he did.

Ben was a family man who supported and provided for his wife, sons, grandkids, family and friends. He was an avid woodworker, making cribbage boards, clocks, hydroplane boats and more. When not working, Ben enjoyed riding around in the hills, hunting, fly fishing, boat racing, gathering, gardening and most of all — camping.

Ben was known by many and was always willing to help when needed. The skills and knowledge he shared will be remembered by many. He could be regarded as:

“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” He was a hardworking man, devoted husband, loving father and a proud grandfather.

Benjamin Branham Sr. is preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Julia Branham; his sister Maude Jarose; his brothers-in-law Harold Campbell Sr., Sam Campbell, Jonathan Leach Sr., Harold Muller and Dan Campbell; and his sisters-in-law Marie Muller and Emogene Carpenter.

He is survived by his wife Sharon Branham; his children Thomas & Jennifer Branham Sr., Benjamin Branham Jr. and Troy Branham; his grandchildren Pamela & Chris Heath, Patricia Branham (Andrew), Douglas Branham (Raelene), Thomas Branham Jr. (Newhan), Derrick Branham (Joyce) and Natasha & James Boatsman; and his 16 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sisters Mary Campbell and Elizabeth Henkel; his sisters-in-law Vi Campbell and Harriet Leach; and by his nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, extended family and numerous friends.

Pallbearers:

Smitty, Horse, Benny, Doug, Teej, & Duke Branham, Chris Heath, Brandon Biondini, Trevor & Kyle Brown, O’s, Lil Bob, & Sam Campbell, Dan McCovey, Blaze Carpenter, RJ Marshall, Thomas Masten, Adam Robertson and Rocky Jones.

Honorary Pallbearers:

Jack Biondini, Mike Orcutt, Joe Jarnaghan Sr., David (“Hootie”) Lewis, Merv George Jr., Loren Norton, George Moon, Harry O. Campbell, Bob Campbell Sr., Bill (“Pecos”) Carpenter, Joe Carpenter, Ralph Brown, Travis Brown, Jason Marshall, Billy McCovey, Clyde Moon, Roger Sanderson, Zane Grant, Jeff Lewis, Derrick Ely, Matt Richardson, Jonathan “Buck” Jackson, Paul Sorvino, Patrick Jackson, Abe Camez, Martin Cervantez, Paul Baker, Sam Jones, Arthur Jones and many more.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hoopa Tribal Cemetery.

The family would like to thank all who have been supportive as we navigate this difficult time.

He is gone now but will forever be in our hearts.