Darrell Branson

Darrell Lee Branson, age 74, of Grand Junction, passed away peacefully at the Hopewest Care Center on January 26, 2025.

Darrell was born on February 17, 1950, in Bend, Oregon (and raised in western Colorado) to H. Hugh Branson and Daphne (Sanders) Branson. He was the third boy to be born to the couple joining big brothers Larry and Edwin. His father Hugh remarried in 1959 to Rose York blessing Darrell with a second mom and three more brothers.

In high school, Darrell worked for his Grandfather Grover Sanders at his beehive. Darrell graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1968 and then joined the United States Navy where he proudly served on the USS Kawishiwi refueling ships in the Gulf of Tonkin. While in the Navy, Darrell was stationed for a time in the Philippines and it was there that he met and married the love of his life, M. Merly Branson. Darrell and Merly were married for 32 years before she went home to Jesus in 2005. During those wonderful years of marriage, they welcomed two sons Brian and Mark.

Darrell and Merly were hugely involved in the Filipino American community in Grand Junction. They enjoyed attending many annual gatherings of this wonderful community over the years.

Darrell spent many years driving a truck and as a beer rep for Central Distributing before joining the hospitality industry working at several hotels in Las Vegas and then Grand Junction. He found his final workplace and a loving work family at the Grand Vista Hotel in 2006. He worked until he was no longer able, then came out of retirement a couple of times because he missed his coworkers and couldn’t stand sitting still for that long. Darrell enjoyed driving the shuttle van for Grand Vista and sharing stories of the people he met during the drives. When Grand Vista was a temporary home to some exchange students, Darrell took them under his wing showing them around western Colorado, introducing them to family, and making sure they always felt welcome. Darrell continued to keep in contact with the exchange students until his death.

Darrell was a calm and quiet man, but you could always get him talking if you asked about movies or sports. That man loved his Broncos and strawberry milkshakes, his favorite from his family’s drive-in in Collbran. His final outing was to watch the last Bronco game of this season at his son’s house. Darrell also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being around family. The Branson/York and Sanders family has been known for their large family gatherings through the years.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents Hugh, Daphne, and Rose, his brothers David, Dan, Edwin, and Larry, and his loving wife Merly. Darrell is survived by his sons Brian (Rachel) and Mark, grandchildren Logan, Brianna, Megan, and Abigail, and his brother Dale (Cindy) York.

A graveside memorial service will be held when he is laid next to his wife in Collbran in late spring or early summer. Details will be shared as they get closer.

Darrell will be remembered for his kindness, calm demeanor, and love for family and friends. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.