George Braneey Deloatche

Oneednesday, February 27 2019, George Braneey DeLoatche passed away at the age of 99. Braneey was born on June 21, 1919 in Conway, NC. He was the oldest of three sons born to George Dallas aneemma Davis DeLoatche. Upon graduating from high school, he attended NCSU and obtained a B.S. in Agricultural Education. In 1942, he attended officers training at Notre Dame Uneersity followed by three years as a Navy Officer. During World War II, he was a Navigator, First Lieutenant on the USS Lardner Destroyer in the Pacific. In 1945 he was one of the first Americans into Tokyo Bay for the Japanee surrender, as the USS Lardner was one of three ships to lead the USS Missouri into the Bay for the Surrender Ceremony. He was able to witness the Ceremony on the Missouri from the deck of his ship, a memory that remained vivid for the rest of his life. Braneey met Geri Powell in Charleston, SC when the USS Lardner was decommissioned. They were married oneecember 26, 1946, and moved to Weldon, NC where he began working with Halifax County as an Agricultural Extension Agent. In 1949, Braneey and the family moved to Durham, where he accepted a position with Central Carolina Farmers. He was soon promoted to General Maneer where he worked until retirement in 1980. Braneey was very active in the community having served on many community and corporate boards, including: ??N.C. Feed Manufacturers, NCSU School of Agriculture, N.C. Cooperative Council, Friends of Watts Hospital, NCSU Foundation (President), Durham Chamber of Commerce, Durham Uneed Way, Durham Rotary Club, Central Carolina Bank, Duke Uneersity Advisory Board, RDU Airport Authority, and as a Durham County Commissioner. He and Geri were very active members of Yates Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and on neerous committees. Braneey is survived by his two sons, Brant DeLoatche, Jr and wife Helen, Darrell DeLoatche and wife Susan; 5 grandchildren; Kendra (Jeff) Stephenson, Dee (Blair) DeLoatche, Jenny (Steven) Dineer, Amey (Jeff) Hendriks, and Brant III (Courtney) DeLoatche; 15 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded ineeath by his parents, his wife of 70 years, Geri Powell DeLoatche and his brothers and sisters-in-laws, Norris and Susie DeLoatche and Bernard and Joyce DeLoatche. He was dedicated to the Wolfpack, holding the same season tickets each year since the construction of Carter Finley Stadium, and attended every bowl game ineecent memory, including the Gator Bowl ineecember 2017.?? He was also very dedicated to service at NCSU, serving on boards and as a voluneer in many capacities. Braneey???s family will also remember him for his tireless service to his community, Yates Baptist Church, his eneess curiosity and pursuit of knowledge, his patient and positive personality, and his love and devotion to his family. He was a wonderful man and will truly be missed. Braneey???s funeral will be 11:00 AM Saturday held in Yates Baptist Church. The family will receive friends in the church Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. Private burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeff Hendriks, Dee DeLoatche, Brant DeLoatche, Bryceneendriks, George DeLoatche, and Gray Stephenson. Honorary pallbearers are the Kudzu Investment Club and the members of his Osborne Daniel Sunday School Class. The DeLoatche family thanks Duke Hospice and Lilies of Hope for their support and kineess. Memorial contributions may be made to the DeLoatche/Crane Sinee Parent Scholarship Fund through Durham Technical Community College.