Galen Branham

Galen Branham passed from this life on January 15, 2022, and into the waiting arms of his faithful Lord and Savior, for whom he was a loyal minister of the gospel for more than 30 years. He was 88 years old.

Galen was born January 2, 1934, to Opal Andrew “Orville” and Anna (Brill) Branham in Kansas City, Missouri. He died January 15, 2022, in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is survived by former wife June Branham of Owasso, Oklahoma; four children: daughter Laura Tschirhart and husband Joe of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; daughter Gay Lynne Heiling and husband Dan of Owasso, Oklahoma; son Drew Branham and wife Sharon of Lynchburg, Virginia; son Clint Branham of Vinita, Oklahoma; as well as 13 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and three great step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sons: Bradley Stuart Branham and Brian Clinton Branham.

Galen was a 1954 graduate of Columbia-Hickman High School, where he was a two-sport standout football and baseball athlete for the Kewpies. He was selected to attend Missouri Boys State in the summer of 1953.

He married June Appleton on May 16, 1955, in Kansas City, Missouri. Together they had six children.

His early work experience included working for his father in the family business, Branham Auction. He was also a top salesman for both Gambles Stores of Kansas City, and Helmers Furniture Mfg., of Kansas City.

The course of his Galen’s life would forever change upon reading scripture and hearing the gospel presented by Pastor Dana Halstead of Shawnee Bible Church, Shawnee, Kansas. He would respond to a calling to enter the ministry, obtaining a degree in Pastoral Studies from Calvary Bible College in 1979. He was also a member of the school’s golf team.

He would serve as interim pastor at First Baptist Church of Shawnee, Kansas, and as pastor of Northview Bible Church in Kearney, Missouri, commensurate with his college studies. A move to Oklahoma in 1979 came with his acceptance of the pastorate at Open Door Bible Church in Locust Grove. His longest tenured ministry was to the Rose Community Church, Rose, Oklahoma, where he served the congregation for 25 years.

Arrangements were entrusted to Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory of Lynchburg, Virginia.