Darrell Thomas Branson, 88, passed away on June 12, 2025, at Ida Emmerson Hospice House in Eureka, CA.

Darrell was born on September 26, 1936, in his parents’ railroad house in Cokeville, Wyoming. He was the seventh child and the youngest born to Cleo (Hoopes) and William Branson. In 1945, he, his parents, and four of his siblings moved to Rohnerville, California, from Deseret, Utah. Dad told the story of how the family’s car — a 1939 Chevrolet sedan — and a trailer that his dad built were so packed with belongings, along with everyone, a dog, and a guinea pig, that the car broke down due to the sheer weight of it all. They still made it to Rohnerville in two days.

Dad attended Toddy Thomas Elementary School and Fortuna Union High School. Toddy Thomas, the principal, taught Dad to play basketball, and that began a love of basketball in the family, with his sons and daughters playing — and continuing to this day with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing on teams. Dad played in high school and in church leagues. In 2016, Dad was inducted into Fortuna High School’s Hall of Fame for the 1952 Champion Basketball Team.

Dad met Mom on a double date when they were seniors. They were not on this date together, and Mom liked Dad more than she liked her date, so they began seeing each other. They married in March 1955. They were married 59 years until she passed away.

Darrell worked 26 years for Foremost Dairies in Fortuna. He also worked as a waiter during high school and held second jobs as a men’s clothing salesman and tax preparer. He worked at Humboldt Creamery after Foremost closed. Dad was also a co-owner of the family business, Hometown Aquarium in Fortuna, for 29 years.

When younger, Dad was a board member of the Rohnerville Elementary School District, a deacon at Campton Heights Baptist Church, and then at Loleta Evangelical Church. He also attended local churches during the last several years.

Dad worked hard to provide for his family. He was very skilled at home remodeling, building things, and had a green thumb. He enjoyed helping his family with various projects. Dad had a great smile, a wonderful laugh, and a good sense of humor. He attended many of his sons’ and grandsons’ basketball games. He also supported his kids’ talents, interests, and hobbies. He liked to fish, and when we were younger, Dad sometimes took us out on his fishing boat. He turned our backyard at Kenmar Road into a playhouse, a two-story fort, and planted a big willow tree for us to hide under, along with a cement pad area to shoot hoops. Dad was also a homebody. Even in retirement, going away for a few days was often plenty of traveling for Dad.

He is survived by his children Diana Branson, Sandra Branson, Jerry (Tammi) Branson, and Ken (Gina) Branson. Dad also leaves behind seven grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, and his sister-in-law Patti Branson.

Dad was preceded in death by our mom, Louise (Anderson), in 2014, and his second wife, Sandi (Bean), in 2024, whom he married in 2015. He was very devoted to and loved Mom and Sandi very much. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his siblings and their spouses: Francis and Jeanne Branson, Rose and Lamar Thornock, Velda and Gerald Abrahamson, Norma and Zip Gomes, Arlon Branson, Elva “Ann” and Glenn Gracey.

We would like to thank the medical staff at Seaview Rehab and Hospice of Humboldt for compassionately caring for Dad.

Family will hold a private service at a later time.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Darrell Branson’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.