Dr. T. Coe Branch (Plainview)

Dr. T. Coe Branch Memorial Service Livestream

This week marks the end of an era of a steadfast family medicine physician who dedicated his life to providing outstanding care to his patients. Dr. T. Coe Branch 87 went home to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Visitation will be in First United Methodist Parlor on Saturday, August 27 at 1:00 P.M. with a memorial service to follow at First United Methodist Church Sanctuary at 2:00 P.M.

Dr. Branch was born January 3, 1935 in Jacksonville, Texas to Joe and Anna Branch. He attended Gaston High School in Joinerville, Texas. He graduated, in 1953, as valedictorian of his class. In addition to his academic success, he excelled in sports, becoming captain of the basketball and football teams in his sophomore year. After high school graduation, Dr. Branch attended the University of Texas on a football scholarship year. While at university he pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon and majored in pre-medicine. After college he attended medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas from 1957-1961. After graduation he completed his internship at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas from 1961 to July 1962. In July of 1962 Dr. Branch established his primary care practice in Plainview, Texas until his retirement in October of 2018.

Dr. Branch completed a two-year tour of duty in the Navy at the United States Navy Reserve Corp at Corpus Christi, Texas from July 1, 1967 to July 1, 1969. He held the rank of Lieutenant Commander. While in the Navy he worked at the Naval Hospital servicing wounded Vietnam soldiers. The Naval Hospital served the sixth naval district which included Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and New Mexico. After his service, Dr. Branch resumed his medical practice in Plainview, Texas. In 1972 Dr. Branch was Board Certified in Family Practice and was re-certified in 1978, 1984, 1990, and 1996. He became Board Certified ABQAURP in October of 1988.

Dr. Branch was also exceptionally active in his community. He was always a civic-minded individual and gave back to the community which he loved dearly. He contributed substantially to the Symphony Guild, the Community Concerts, the FHA, the Industrial Foundation, and the Fireworks Fund. He served as president of the Hale Floyd Briscoe County Medical Society, president of the Hale County Heart Association, President of the Y.M.C.A. board, Chief of Staff of Central Plains Regional Hospital;, Governing Board Chairman Central Plains Regional Hospital, President of Plainview Country Club, Chairman Litigation Review- medical audit of Central Plains Regional Hospital, and Chairman of ER Committee at Covenant Hospital. Dr. Branch served on many boards. He was on the Board of Directors First National Bank, on the Board of Directors Industrial Foundation, the Board of Directors of the United Fund, the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce, the administrative Board of First United Methodist Church, and Chairman Region 1 URQAC TMF Medical Review. The United Way was special to Dr. Branch. He participated in the annual United Way Drive for twenty years where he contacted each physician personally for their contribution.

Dr. Branch was also an active member of the First United Methodist Church where he taught the Living and Giving Sunday school class for twenty years. Prior to that he taught the Wesley Bible class. Dr. Branch was also a member of the Gideon International Association. He also served as a Lay Director of walk twenty-one for the Living Water Emmaus Community. He attended three Bible study groups that met weekly. Dr. Branch was a devout man of God. He spent his mornings reading, studying the Bible, and meditating on God's words and promises. Throughout his life, Dr. Branch read the Bible in its entirety thirty five times.

Thomas Coe Branch is survived by his loving wife Sandra and step-daughter Rebecca, a son and daughter-in-law Gary and Kathy Branch of Lubbock; a daughter, Laura Miller of Mansfield, Texas; a daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Dabney Brannon of Fayetteville, Arkansas; a son Patrick Branch of Fayetteville, Arkansas; six grandchildren, Creighton and Cagan Branch of Lubbock, Ryan Miller of Mansfield, Texas, Jackson and Edie Grace Brannon of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Gemma Coe Branch of Fayetteville, Arkansas; a sister, Clelia Sonntag, of San Antonio, Texas; and the mother of his children Edythe Branch of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Dr. Branch was preceded in his death by his mother and father, Joe and Anna Branch, two brothers, Phil Branch and Clair Branch; a son-in-law, Jeff Miller; and a brother in-law, Rick Sonntag. 

Dr. Branch will leave a void in the hearts of his family members and in the Plainview community. He will be dearly missed by his family, patients, and many friends. Plainview has lost one of it's best friends, a phenomenal physician, who has gone home to The Great Physician. Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church in Plainview, Texas 1001 W. 7th St., Plainview, Texas, 79072.