BRANYON JR, MAX H. , 78, died in Altamonte Springs, FL on Saturday, following a valiant three-year battle against pancreatic cancer. Max was born in Fayette, AL in 1931. He was one of four sons born to Max H. Branyon, Sr. and Madge Branyon. Max grew up in Northwest Alabama, where he acquired a life-long love of the outdoors. He and his brothers had an idyllic childhood, and filled their days with sports,
hunting, fishing and camping. After the outbreak of WWII, Max spent some time in Carabell, FL, while his father was stationed at the Army base there. Max seized the opportunity to explore the woods, lakes and beaches of Florida's Panhandle and fell madly in love with our State. After graduating from high school in Alabama, Max experienced combat first-hand during the Korean War while serving as a tank commander in the Army's First Armored Calvary Division. In one engagement, the tank he occupied was seriously hit by enemy fire. Upon leaving the service, Max pursued his education. He attended Northeastern State Teacher's College and Auburn University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Journalism. He was a lifelong Auburn fan. In the early 1960s, Max realized his dream of returning to Florida. He moved to the Orlando area and began a long and successful career as an educator in the Orange County school system, from which he retired in 1989. Max taught at Evans High School (twice), Mid-Florida Tech, Boone High School (where he served as Dean of Boys), and Memorial Middle School. For most of his career, Max was involved with work experience curriculum, through which he taught students the skills necessary to excel in the employment world. Max touched the lives of many thousands of students over the course of his teaching career. His pupils knew him as a caring, optimistic, down-to-earth mentor who treated them as unique individuals and taught them what it took to succeed in the work-force. To this day, many of his students maintain contact with him through letters and phone calls. Max also enjoyed a parallel career as a successful journalist and prolific outdoor writer. He published four books on freshwater and saltwater fishing, boating and baseball, was the first managing editor of Spray Magazine, served for many years as a columnist and writer for The Orlando Sentinel, and more recently, was a contributing editor for Florida Sportsman magazine. Over the years, Max also hosted outdoor programs on radio and television. He was a talented photographer, and many of his stories were illustrated with his own photographs. One of his photographs won first place in a state-wide photography contest. After his retirement from the school system, Max continued to contribute frequently to Florida Sportsman and other publications. Recently, he had completed a semi-autobiographical novel about the adventures of a boy in the Florida Panhandle. In 1982, Max married Donna, the love of his life. An incredibly close and devoted couple they shared many adventures, travels and wonderful times. When Max became ill, Donna was Max's strength. She kept his spirits up, catered to his every need, and did so with compassion and good humor. Max was a passionate life-long fisherman. Fishing was his direct, spiritual connection to the outdoor world. He lived to fish and enjoyed every kind of fishing there was. He displayed the same excitement whether he was angling for marlin in Mexico or fishing for bream in a local lake. And he loved seeing those with him hook a fish. Over time, the act of casting a lure became as natural to him as drawing breath. His life was perfect when he was out on the water, watching the droplets glistening on his fishing line, backlit by the artist's palette of a glorious sunrise. His fishing stamina was incredible. Even in his late seventies, Max could out-fish men half his age. Near quitting time, when his fishing companions were ready to call it a day, Max's familiar mantra was "Just one more cast." And fishing was not purely a recreational pursuit for Max; he also used it to teach his sons many quiet lessons about life, companionship and the value of relaxation. Max was a captivating story-teller, an enthusiastic practical joker, and a devotee of the lost art of conversation. He simply loved talking to people. He was keenly interested in everyone he met and wanted to learn as much as he could about them. In a routine very familiar to his family and friends, he would regularly strike up conversations with complete strangers, and within a few minutes he had a new friend. Because of his gift for story-telling and public speaking, Max was often invited to give talks at civic meetings and outdoors-related gatherings, and he served as an emcee at outdoor trade shows. Max was a past-president and lifetime member of the Orange County Sportsman's Association. He also served as president of the Orange County Vocational Association, as an officer in the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, and as a member of Florida Conservation Association and Ducks Unlimited. Max was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Bill Branyon. Max is survived by his wife, Donna, of Altamonte Springs; sons Steve, Bob and Kyle Branyon, of Fern Park, Orange Park, and Lighthouse Point, FL, and their wives, Mary, Leslie and Joy; brothers James Curtis Branyon of Midlothian, VA, and Hugh Branyon of Gulf Shores, AL, and their wives, Myra and Carol; and granddaughters Cheryl, Jackie and Katie Branyon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 4, at 11:00 AM at Baldwin Fairchild, East Altamonte Chapel, 994 E. Altamonte Drive, (SR 436). Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 3, from 6-8PM at the funeral home. Burial will be on Friday, June 5, at Oaklawn Memorial Park, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Hospice of the Comforter, Altamonte Springs. Published in the Orlando Sentinel on 6/2/2009
