Raymond (Ray) W. Branton, Jr.

Raymond W. Branton, Jr. (Ray) son of Raymond and Lois Walker Branton of North Little Rock, AR joined God's heavenly choir on September 6, 2011. Ray was born January 22, 1950 in Fayetteville, Ark. His early childhood was spent in Alexandria, La. In 1958, the family returned to Arkansas and Ray attended North Little Rock public schools, graduating from North Little Rock Old Main in 1968. As a teenager, Ray became a communicate of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral where he served as a member of the Retreat Singers. The group wrote and presented the life of Christ in folk music. They performed in Episcopal churches throughout the eastern United States and also with a concert in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Ray was one of several soloists in the group. One of his solos was: "I Believe". Beginning in 1965, for three summers, these young people served in the foreign mission field, traveling the U.S. on old school buses, singing most nights in Episcopal churches for their supper and a place to sleep. Their first mission was in Moose Factory Ontario, Canada, in 1966 it was in Wales and the next year in British Honduras (now Belize). Ray graduated from the California Institute of Arts in Valencia, Calif. with a degree in graphic design. He practiced in D.C. and later in Little Rock. He subsequently moved to Mexico and taught at the Art Institute in San Miguel de Allende where he met his wife, Kathleen. They moved to Cave Creek, Ariz. where he lived many years. He was an active member of the Episcopal faith, serving as a cantor at times. Ray taught art classes at one of the community colleges in the Phoenix area and perfected his furniture making and woodworking abilities. He designed and erected a 9' cross to hang in the apex of an Episcopal church that had suffered a lightning fire. He also crafted a Bishops chair and Baptismal font. His woodworking business, Brantwood Custom Furniture, LLC specialized in custom pieces for Episcopal churches. He was a member of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Cave Creek and sang in the choir. Ray has "fought the good fight" against brain cancer since 2007. His soul is now with God. Ray is survived by his parents, his wife Kathleen Branton of Ellensburg, Wash., his children Madeline Branton of Maine and Peter Branton of N.Y., his sisters Laurel Bakken (Kerry) of Sheridan and Amelia Branton of Little Rock. Also surviving are many Branton and Walker aunts, uncles and cousins. His ashes will be returned from Ellensburg, Wash. and there will be a gathering of former Retreat Singers, family and friends in the garth at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 17th & Springs Streets, Little Rock on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 11 a.m. with The Rev. Canon J. Russell Snapp officiating.