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Paul Richard Branch, who served the city of Drumright as both mayor and city manager, died on October 16, 2025, at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa. He was 94 years old.
He was born on August 23, 1931, in Oklahoma City to C. M. and Blanche (Vermillion)Branch. They lived in the Capitol Hill area for much of his early years, then made a succession of moves to Freeport, TX, Comanche, OK, and Compton, CA, before settling in Bristow in 1946, when he was a sophomore in high school. There he played football for the Bristow Purple Pirates and met the woman who would become his wife, Luann Jones.
After high school, he attended Bristow Junior College and worked in retail for Woolworth’s. In 1951 he enlisted in the Navy during the Korean Conflict. He served as a storekeeper aboard the U.S.S. William Mitchell in the Pacific before being assigned to shore duty at Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay.
In 1952, he married Luann; she joined him in California after she finished college. He was discharged in 1956 and enrolled at the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 1959 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing.
He worked in sales for Conoco in Oklahoma City and Tulsa for two years. In 1961, he joined his father-in-law Cal Jones in a wholesale business selling Mobil gasoline and products in Drumright. He and Luann stayed in Drumright for the rest of their lives, raising three children there and giving their time and talent to the town in innumerable ways. He sold his business in 1981 and devoted his time to raising horses and investing in oil production.
In 1973, Paul ran unopposed for a seat on Drumright’s city council and was chosen by the council to be vice mayor. Five years later, he was selected as mayor and held that office from 1978 to 1987. In 1987, he went to work for the city’s gas authority, eventually becoming city manager. He retired in 1999.
After his retirement, he volunteered as a member of the Creek County Excise Board, the Drumright Industrial Authority, and the Creek County Industrial Authority, where he became an emeritus member last year after 25 years of service. In 2006, he and Luann were inducted into the Drumright Hall of Fame.
Paul was a friend and mentor to a wide range of people in his extended family, his work, and in his community. He was also an avid golfer and a passionate sports fan. Besides his beloved Oklahoma Sooners, he was a vocal fan and scourge of referees at his children’s and grandchildren’s basketball games.
Luann died in 2018. Paul is survived by a brother, George Branch of Dallas; a sister, Eleanor Souders of Van Wert, Ohio; and three children: Douglas and his wife Lauren of Oklahoma City; Mark and his partner Dawn Lorentson of New Haven, CT; and Paula Dennis and her husband Gary of Tulsa. His grandchildren are Kyle Dennis of Tulsa; Katie Monsour and husband Chris of Jackson, MS; Emily Rebentisch and husband Joseph of Tulsa; Logan Branch of Norman; Austin Branch of Denver; John Branch of Brooklyn, NY; Isabel Branch of Hamden, CT; Amber Liles and husband Nathan, Gil White, and Brayden White, all of Oklahoma City; and Danielle Hernandez of Alexandria, VA. His great-grandchildren are Ari Branch of Norman; Lee and Branch Monsour of Jackson, MS; and Lilianne, Coralee, and Liam Liles of Oklahoma City. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a caring set of friends who helped him enormously in the six years after Luann died. He was fortunate to have a devoted and tireless caregiver in Jean Erwin of Drumright, who helped both him and Luann in their last years.
Memorials in his name may be sent to the University of Oklahoma Foundation (oufoundation.org).
NOTE: This is the exact copy of what was sent to the funeral home for publication.
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