December 2, 1938 – April 30, 2025
James Caleb Branson, 86, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025, in Katy, Texas. He was born on December 21, 1938, to Oliver and Louella Branson and was raised in Marion, Illinois. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1957 and later retired in 1977 as a Senior Master Sergeant after a 20-year career. He served in Korea before marrying the love of his life, Karen Guill Branson, on June 10, 1959. They began their military service and life together serving in Turkey, Thailand, Labrador and various states including Texas, Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois before retiring at Richards-Gebauer AFB in Belton, Missouri. Belton became their home upon retirement later also having a home in Katy, Texas for the last 20 years enjoying the “snowbird” lifestyle and cherishing many friends in both places.
Jim earned a Bachelor’s Degree in business from the University of Nebraska Omaha and a Master’s in Business Administration from Webster College. He began a second career in real estate, becoming a successful broker, owning multiple franchises (Century 21) and developing Bel-Ray 2 subdivision in Belton. He was a past President of the Real Estate Association of Kansas City and was a part-time Instructor at Longview College. Jim’s career was filled with many accomplishments and awards for outstanding performance/production but mostly Jim was known for his business acuity, strong work ethic, integrity and leadership.
To his family, Jim was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend. He placed his family above all else and was always there for each of them throughout their major ups and downs in life. He was immensely loved and will be forever missed.
Jim is survived by wife, Karen, of 65 years that he cherished more than life itself. He is also survived by daughter, Dr. Christie Lazenby (Keith), of Richmond, Texas; sons, Lonnie Branson (Amber), of Loch Lloyd, Missouri, and Todd Branson (LeAnn), of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; sister, Mary Shoopman, of Springfield, Illinois; grandchildren, Connor Branson (fiancé Lizzie), of Lee’s Summit, Tatum Branson (Brandon Miller), of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Callie Whitbeck (fiancé Harvey), of Spring, Texas, Cooper Branson, of Lee’s Summit, Lauren Weaver (Trace), of Hutto, Texas, and Anna Lazenby, of Irving, Texas. He recently became the proud great grandfather of Bowen Miller.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Louella Branson; sister, Alice Stagner; brother, Kenny Branson; and grandson, Taylor Whitbeck.
Funeral arrangements will be at Cullen Funeral Home in Raymore on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Visitation will be at 10:00 followed by a funeral service at 11:00 and a gravesite military burial at Belton cemetery. He will have a celebration of life in Katy, Texas to be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Wayside Waifs in Kansas City.
Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816-322-5278.
