Ray Branom, Founder
Raymond Hugo Branom, esteemed businessman, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, October 7, 2005.
Ray was born November 20, 1917 in Bonner's Ferry, Idaho to William Wiley and Annie Lee Branom. He played football at Bonner's Ferry High School for his older brother, Coach Duncan D.B. Branom. He went to the University of Idaho on a football scholarship and graduated in Accounting in 1941. On June 22, 1941, Ray married his sweetheart Vera Lee. For their honeymoon, they came to Seattle, where Ray went to the University of Washington to get his masters while working at a Chevron gas station. When World War II broke out, Ray went to work at the shipyards and was introduced to instrumentation. Having saved for a new car, Ray and Vera decided to invest that money in a risky venture. This was a momentous decision, since by 1947, the family had grown to include the first half of his six children. Ray took the family savings and became a partner in a business called Instrument Sales and Service. In 1949, due to the death of the original partner, Ray became sole owner. In 1952, he asked Gene Leeland to come into the business. Soon, Ray wanted to expand into Portland, Oregon and the business name Instrument Sales and Service was not available there, so the company was incorporated and the name changed to Branom and Leeland Instrument Company. Mr. Branom and Mr. Leeland were business partners not only in the Instrument Company but with Northwest Filter as well. In 1965, Mr. Leeland left the Instrument Company and took over Northwest Filter. Branom and Leeland Instrument Company was then changed to Branom Instrument Company.
Ray is survived by his six children: Duncan, Steve (Carolyn), Bill (Mary), Bob (Nancy), Sue Warter (Brad), and Jeanne Sherman, thirteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Ray's loving wife and sweetheart for 64 years, Vera Lee, passed away February 19, 2005 as well as one of his granddaughters, Shauna Kay Warter in 2002.
Ray was a businessman and an avid sports fan. He was a life-long season ticket holder for the Huskies, Mariners, Seahawks, and Sonics, and loved going to the games. He held several positions, including president, of his Kiwanis club.
Ray is "Alive" and Vera is finally "Fine" together again.
A graveside service was held on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at Evergreen Washelli and a Memorial/Celebration of his life was held on Saturday, November 12 at 1pm at Bethel Presbyterian Church, 110th and Greenwood Ave N.
Donations/Memorials to American Heart Association, Cystic Fibrosis, or charity of your choice.
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