Bobby Branstetter

Bobby R. Branstetter was born at Coodys Bluff, Oklahoma on September 11, 1932, to WM F. Branstetter and Edna (Adamson) Branstetter. He was the youngest of four children; with an older brother, only living a short time, then two girls were born, Peggy Long and Patricia Mock. He started school at Coodys Bluff, but later was forced to move to Childers school, where he finished his 12 years and graduated. His dad had a heart attack and could no longer work; therefore, Bobby went to work to support the family for Basinger Oil, who was struggling to get oil production going. Bobby teamed for them.

During 1951, he met Peggy West and as time went on, he realized that he spent so much time driving from Coodys Bluff to Nowata so often that it was agreed that the two would get married. Because he couldn’t take off any time, on June 21, 1952, Bobby pretended he couldn’t work because he was sick, and he and Peggy decided that they would drive to Arkansas and get married since they didn’t have a waiting period for blood tests like Oklahoma did. Peggy took the day off and they ended up in Bentonville, Arkansas. They went to the courthouse and got the papers to fill out. When the judge seen that they were both almost twenty, he promptly told them that unless Bobby had his parents' consent, he could not marry them. That was the time when a boy couldn’t do much unless he was 21. Well that meant that both Bobby and Peggy had to drive all the way back home and get a consent paper from Bobby’s parents and get back before Judge Carter went home. Needless to say, Bobby put the pedal to the metal and made it back. The couple made it back to Bentonville and spoke those words that bound them together-he then continued with warning Bobby about speeding!

Peggy always remembered the words, “Do you take this man for better or for worse?” She said “yes” and when Bobby got Alzheimer's, she felt like this was “the worse.” She had said “yes” to, but she intended to stay until the end and after 70 years, the two had to part when his body gave out. During his adult years, Bobby spent two years in the military, serving in the Korean conflict in Germany. He worked for Ellsworth Bros Trucking, hauling cement. He also drove for another company, hauling oil. He also worked other jobs, working on ranches, which is what he liked best. The last 13 years of Bobby’s career was spent working for Gifford Hill at PSO, who sold fly ash. Bobby’s job there was to fill the trucks with ash. The company sold out in 1995, and he decided to retire and spent the rest of his time raising cattle and also hauling cattle for whoever needed cattle hauled to the stock yard. He loved it, but Alzheimer’s set in and he had to give it up.

He is preceded in death by his parents; WM F. and Edna Branstetter, his sisters; Peggy Long and Patricia Mock, his niece; Gail (Mock) Norris, and his nephew; Sammy Norris.

Bobby is survived by his wife; Peggy J. Branstetter of Talala, OK, his son; Christy Branstetter, his daughter; Stacy A. Durham and husband, Dirk of Vinita, OK, his son; William (Billy) R. Branstetter and wife, Audre of Talala, OK, his grandson; Cory A. Durham, and wife, Shelbi of Vinita, OK, his granddaughter; Kassie Branstetter of Wichita Falls, TX, his granddaughter; Hadlee L. Branstetter of Oologah, OK, his grandson; Coy W. Branstetter of Talala, OK, his granddaughter; Kennedy R. Durham of Vinita, OK.

The last five years, he could not speak and the last year and a half, he was bed bound, after losing he use of his right leg. Though his family lost Bobby on June 12, they know that the Lord was waiting for him. In 1981, he had proclaimed Jesus Christ as his savior, therefore, “All is Well.”

Funeral services for Bobby Branstetter will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Talala Christian Church with Pastor Tom Jones officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Talala, OK. Arrangements are under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Service. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.