Kenneth Mirza Branscome's Obituary
Kenneth Mirza Branscome was born at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas on December 18th, 1929 to Eugene and Zelma Branscome. After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, Ken enrolled in Southern Methodist University (SMU) for a short time before joining the military.
In 1948 Ken enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, starting a military career that would last 9 years and ultimately lead to serving in active combat in the Korean War. He served as a pilot and learned to fly several different aircraft, though most of his missions saw him dive-bombing in a Douglas AD Skyraider. By the time he was honorably discharged Ken had flown 60 missions, risen to the rank of Captain and earned the Air Medal with three stars.
Upon completing his military service, Ken returned to the US to resume his education. He earned a BA from North Texas State College (UNT), and would later earn a Master’s in Science and Engineering (1963) as well as an Electrical Engineering degree (1971) from SMU.
During the summers, he continued to pursue his love of flying, first as a pilot for a team of seismographers in the wilderness of Alaska, and then by serving with Jungle Aviation and Radio Service (JAARS), which enabled him to combine his love of flying with his love of radio.
In 1963 while training at the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), the parent organization of JAARS, Ken met Darlene DeShong who was also in training at SIL. They married the next year and went on mission together, ultimately serving in Peru from January of 1966 through 1967.
Once back in the states they settled in Dallas, where Ken would return to SMU to complete his education and to begin his career. Over the years, in addition to his time with JAARS, he worked for Texas Instruments, as an electrician for George Goode & Associates, as a teacher at Richland (awarded for excellence in teaching) and Navarro community colleges, and as a computer consultant.
In 1976, Ken and Darlene adopted Robert and Eric Alexander, ages 5 and 3. They renamed them Chris and Eric Branscome, and gave them wonderful lives full of amazing opportunities.
Ken’s interests, hobbies and abilities were numerous. They included computer hardware, programming, electronic circuits, ham radio, civil war reenacting (he sewed his own uniforms and made his own guns), photography, history, museums, restoring Corvettes, metalworking, and building things in his workshop. When cars or appliances broke, he repaired them, often involving his kids (who weren’t so thankful at the time, but are very thankful today). He could often be seen hunched over his workbench wearing a set of square-lensed goggles, the smell of solder filling the air. He loved his Pomeranians, Rusty, Mickey, Minnie, Frosty, and most recently, “Dolly Puppy.”
Later in life he dedicated a great deal of time to volunteering. He served on the Historical Advisory Board for the city of Midlothian, and gave many hours of his time to the Ellis County Museum, Cavanaugh Flight Museum (awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2001) and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. In addition to serving as a tour guide and consultant, he modified the “Frontier Flyer”, a Thorp T-18, so that it could serve as an educational tool. He also built a flight simulator which became a popular attraction for kids.
Ken was preceded in death by his brother Gene Branscome. He is survived by his sister Sharon Gardner, wife Darlene, sons Chris and Eric, and three granddaughters, Hope, Meg and Grace.
What’s your fondest memory of Kenneth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kenneth?
Share a story where Kenneth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kenneth you’ll never forget.
How did Kenneth make you smile?
