Albert Lynn " Bear " Braneff, Sr., 70, passed from this life on Monday, December 8, 2014 at his residence.

Born on September 19, 1944 in DeQuincy, Louisiana to, Elma Christine Howard Braneff and Simon Braneff, he was a resident of Mauriceville, TX and native of Starks, LA.

Bear worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator in the Oil & Gas Industry and he served his country honorably in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Bear was a member of the Silver Oaks Baptist Church in Mauriceville, a lifetime member Veterans of Foreign War Post 2775 in Orange where he served as the Post Commander for three consecutive years, and the Vietnam Veterans Association where he served as President for one year. Bear was very much a people person who never met a stranger, he enjoyed tinkering with cars, especially his 1967 Shelby Cobra which he enjoyed cruising in parades.

Bear is preceded in death by his parents, Simon and Christine; one sister, Margaret Ruth Wales; one sister-in-law Annette Frueh Braneff; three nephews, Larry Wesley Wales, Philip and Shon Holden Braneff; and one niece, Wanda Dean Wales Trahan. Those who will most cherish his memory: his son, Albert Lynn Braneff, Jr.; his daughters, Chantell Lynn Braneff Hoyt of Mauriceville, TX, Cynthia Kellie Braneff and fiancé, Chad Blanchard of Houma, LA and Jolie Ann Braneff LaRose of Katy, TX; his brothers, Simon Eugene Braneff of Starks, LA, Larry Ray Braneff and wife, Rebecca of Starks, Ronald Lee Braneff of Hearne, TX, and Prentiss Holden Braneff of Starks; his grandchildren, Kyle Levi Braneff, Gabrielle Lynne LaRose, Kathryn Aimee McElroy, Christine Kellie and Cullin Paul Blanchard, Garrett Levi LaRose, Gavin Lee LaRose and Cade Paul Blanchard. Bear is also survived by numerous members of his extended family and friends.

Graveside Services with Military Honors to honor Bear’s life will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 12, 2014 at the Clark Cemetery in Starks, Louisiana. Officiating will be Reverend Ed Rawls, pastor of the Silver Oaks Baptist Church in Mauriceville. A gathering of Bear’s family and friends for a time of reflection will be from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Thursday at Dorman Funeral Home in Orange.