Fred N. Branson

Fred was born on January 7, 1952, to Chuck and Sue Branson of Sedalia, Missouri. He was the oldest of four children. Tom Branson of Grass Valley, California; Michael Branson of Sedalia, Missouri; and sister, Dana Branson and Dan Crouse of Parkdale, Oregon. In March 1980, Fred and Sally Lockett were married in Sedalia, Missouri. They had two children – Fred G. and Tom Branson. Sally Lockett currently resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Fred G. and wife, Lindsey Banaka Branson live in Kansas City with their two children, Beau and Blake. Tom and Ivy Branson live in Lakewood, Colorado and Tom has three children – Benicio, Avianna and Liem. This past Thanksgiving, Sally and all the children and grandchildren were able to gather with Fred N. Branson for the holiday.

Fred was a life-long resident of Sedalia, Missouri until April 2023 when he moved to the Kansas City Area to be closer to his son and family. He graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1970 and earned a degree from State Fair Community College. In 1980 he joined Sedalia Cold Storage alongside George Lockett where he continued to work until he retired.

Some of Fred’s fondest memories were of his childhood summers spent at the family’s fishing resort near Vermilion Bay, Ontario, Canada. He learned to fish there and enjoyed all the outdoor activities that a young boy loves while spending time with his beloved Grandad. Later in life, he enjoyed spending time playing cards with all his friends at the Sedalia Country Club, golfing, quail hunting and shooting at the Sedalia Rod and Gun Club. In the last few years of his life, Vicky Burnett became Fred’s close friend and they enjoyed visiting restaurants, playing cards and dinner theatre together.

Fred is preceded in death by his parents, H.N. Chuck Branson and Sue Branson. His ashes will be interned at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sedalia, Missouri. In lieu of a formal funeral service, a Celebration of Life gathering will be held Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the Sedalia Country Club in the upstairs bar from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Sedalia Rod and Gun Club. Please come join us for one last drink with Fred!