Father's Day, June 15, 2014I was truly blessed to have Jim "Tiger" Branch as my father. I always knew he was a gread dad, but as I reflect on my memories with him I realize he was the greatest.As a little girl he took me to see all of the westerns and war movies that were made during the 50's. He taught me about cars and how each one we owned deserved a name. Two of my favorites were "The Bucket of Blood" (which I learned to drive in) and the "Four-seventy AC."In my early years on Sunday afternoons he would drive me out in the country so I could see the horses grazing in their pastures. Later on he spent his Saturday afternoons watching me with my riding lessons and in the following years he took me to the horse shows and watched me compete.Daddy read poetry to me at night. I almost knew by heart Robert Service's "The Cremation of Sam McGee" and "The Shooting of Dan McGrew." He took me to the library when I was four and helped me get my first card. I've loved reading all of my life because of him.Daddy taught me to play poker before I started elementary school and I shared my card skills with all of my friends much to my teacher's chagrin. He also showed me unbelievable short cuts to my algebra homework, again much to my teacher's chagrin.Daddy made sure I was at Sunday School every Sunday as long as I can remember. He used to draw the most fascinating cars during the church service when I was too young to understand the pastor. He taught a high school boys' Sunday School Class and they loved him. The boys used to stop by the house on their walks home from school wanting to spend extra time with him, hearing another of his many war stories.He was so well liked by my friends that growing up they always wanted to ride in his car just to hear his funny stories and feel the wind on their faces (that would be in the "Four-seventy AC"). Daddy shared the Gospel with any and all who would listen. He loved the Lord. Even when the Alzheimer's had robbed him of much of his mind he was praying before meals and asking those around him if they knew Jesus.I see daddy in my children. They have his quick dry wit and his compassion for others. My son will try to fix anything that is broken, just like his grand-dad. And my daughter has daddy's love of reading books. Both have his analytical skills as do I. Plus I have the love of a good fast sports car.Daddy loved my husband as the son he never had. He showed him the utmost respect and was not ashamed to hug and kiss him at every meeting. He was a great father-in-law…no, father to my husband.My father is my hero.
