Brian Branch

Brian passed away un-expectantly Wednesday, February 21. He was born and raised in North Seattle. He attended Sacajawea Elementary School, Jane Adams Jr High and Nathan Hale High School and OIC trade school.

Even as a young boy he was always interested in the highest standards and pushing the limits. In his elementary and jr high school years he was involved with martial arts and was always trying to pursue the highest belt level he could master. During his high school years, skiing became a passion and he became a very accomplished skiier. He would spend winter weekends working at Stevens pass as a dishwasher or bus boy so he could earn time on the slopes. As a teenager he developed his love for cars and spent hours and hours cleaning and polishing his first car, a Chevrolet Vega. He was very particular about anyone getting it dirty or accidentally bumping into it. As a young man he also developed a passion for sky diving. He sky dove most weekends and logged in many flights and at one point considered becoming a sky dive instructor, until one horrible afternoon when he lost control of the parachute upon descent and ended up in a 20-30 foot free fall to the ground which shattered his ankle. He spent a month in the hospital recovering from the surgeries that left him with several metal pins in his ankle and thereby putting an end to his skydiving and skiing adventures. Eventually his ankle healed and he discovered the joy of running. His love for running never stopped and most days of his life included a five mile run. He would always look for the steepest hills he could find to add the most challenge to his daily runs. He also loved the sun! and he loved Hawaii! He found himself in Maui on a vacation and met some new friends that invited him to come and live with them. He thoroughly enjoyed his year living with his new friends and he became an active member of the community on Maui. And he loved people! He had many wonderful friends throughout his life. Brian was very friendly and enjoyed meeting new friends and he was fun, loved a good party, laughed easy and was very likeable. He was also a generous man and always wanted to share his life with others.

Upon graduation from Nathan Hale High School in 1980, he went on to attend OIC trade School in Seattle to become a journeyman plumber. He opened his own business, "Better Plumbing and Drain Cleaning." He was a very proud business owner. He became a very skilled plumber and took great pride in his work. He was dedicated to his work and always showed up to jobs dressed in his clean uniform with his spotless and well organized van. He met with clients, provided bids and was able to efficiently complete his jobs on time and for happy repeat customers.

Brian's parents were involved with real estate and that interest was passed to Brian. He began to invest in single family homes and was a master remodeler. He took great pride in his work and all of his units were updated beautifully. Eventually he transitioned into apartment buildings. He continued his love for remodeling with these buildings. Every time he had the opportunity he transformed his units into a beautiful living space.

Brian was a perfectionist and although he was always striving for the highest standard he could accomplish, he also faced challenges that held him back and caused him great frustrations. He was very close to his mother all of his life and her death in 2010 was very hard on him. Great sadness overtook him and he struggled with depression after her death. This depression would often prevent him from achieving the standards he craved and from living up to his full potential. He would often illicit help from his great circle of friends to help him keep his complex life in order. Brian truly loved and trusted people. He opened his home and his resources to any one that needed help and was willing to help in any way he was able. Sometimes his willingness to trust was not in his best interest and he experienced times where people he loved and trusted took advantage of him. But he was a loyal friend and a sensitive soul and he believed the best in everyone until he was shown otherwise.

Most people who knew Brian could not help but love him. He had a kind, childlike, trusting temperament who was quick to laugh and smile and was loyal to a fault. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.