Raymond Branton

Raymond Wilson Branton, was born October 5, 1924 in Corsicana, Texas, and died April 5, 2014 in North Little Rock at the VA Hospital. The oldest of six children, he was blessed with siblings who remained close, caring and supportive of each other all his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie W. and Rachael Wood Branton, as well as two sisters, Mary Rachael Branton and Elizabeth ’Betty’ Carr, a brother Edgar A. Branton, his son Raymond Branton, Jr. as well as a beloved granddaughter, Sarah Rachael Bakken. Raymond is survived by his wife, Lois Walker Branton. Their marriage was on Jan. 1, 1949, while both were students at the U of A, Fayetteville, AR. Besides his wife, Ray is survived by his children: Laurel Bakken and husband Kerry of Sheridan, and Amelia Kay Branton of North Little Rock, two grandchildren, Peter M. Branton of New York and Madeline Branton of Maine, his brother, Lonnie Branton, sister, Marjorie Harshfield and a large number of nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters in law, as well as a host of friends. Educated in the Little Rock Public Schools, Raymond was a fifth generation Arkansan in the construction industry. The first Branton Bros. Construction Company was started in Magnolia, AR in the 1840s. A member of the carpenters union before entering the Marines in World War II, Ray was the first member of his family to become an architect. Ray’s service in World War II was in the South Pacific on KWAJALEIN ATOLL, located in the Marshall Islands. He was a member of the commanding general’s staff of the 5th Marine Air Wing. Entering the U of A to study architecture in the fall of 1946, Raymond became a lst Lt. of Squadron E of the ROTC AIR Force Cadet training platoon. He was also a member of Theta Tau, engineering fraternity. Graduating in 1951 with a degree in architecture, he did his apprenticeship with the architectural firm of Barron, Heinberg and Bracato in Alexandria, LA. An active member of the Exchange Club for more than 30 years, Ray first joined while living in Alexandria. Returning to Little Rock to take the architectural licensing exam, he opened a solo practice in the Little Rock area. Certified nationally by NCARB, Ray was licensed in Arkansas and the five surrounding states. Early in his practice he dedicated his work to the Lord and was successful in seeing his designs built for more than 150 churches in AR and five other states. The outstanding design of St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, Roosevelt and Main, Little Rock, was one of the last projects he completed. He was very proud of his designs and fundraising work for the prison chapels at the Cummins and Tucker Units of the Arkansas Department of Correction. A member of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Ray served as president of the chapter in 1970. He also served as president of the Little Rock Exchange Club. He was on the Salvation Army Board for more than 25 years, president several years, and was named a Lifetime member of the Board. While a member of the Pulaski Business Men’s Assn. he was chairman of the Miss Little Rock Pageant and the March of Dimes Telerama co-sponsored by KATV. Confirmed at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on December 12, 1965, Ray served in the late 1960s as head usher at the Family Service. An avid fisherman, Ray spent many week-ends on Lake Ouachita bass fishing and proudly exhibiting photos of his big catches. Ray was known for his dry sense of humor, generous spirit, honesty and love of family and friends. He will be remembered by the number of young architectural students he employed during summer months, whom he encouraged, showing them tools of the trade and practicing his brand of patience. There will be a private family service officiated by Rev. Paul McLain, Sub-Dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in NLR with Military Honors. The family would like to express their thanks to the visiting doctors, nurses and aides from the VA who cared for Ray for several years at home and to the nurses and staff of Unit 1B at the North Little Rock VA Hospital.

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