Dennis I. Branham, 

86, died in his sleep of natural causes at his home in Anchorage 
on July 21, 2009. A memorial service will be determined at a 
later date. He was born July 5, 1923, in Nashville, Wis. He was 
the son of Samuel T. Branham and Bertha Lee Pitts. Dennis 
hitchhiked to Alaska at the age of 18 on a Staggerwing Beech, 
doing slow rolls alongside a DC-3 passenger plane. He became an 
expert pilot. With his brother, Bud Branham, he purchased a 
trapline from Wayno Puntilla in 1939 and established Rainy Pass 
Lodge, a hunting and fishing lodge. He enlisted in the Army Air 
Corps at the start of World War II and served as a pilot and 
captain of a C-46 aircraft, which pulled troop gliders. After the 
war, he returned to Alaska, flew for Star Airlines (now Alaska 
Airlines), Dillingham Air Service, Northern Consolidated and his 
own company, Bran Air. He commercial fished with sailboats. He 
later reestablished his interests in operating hunting and 
fishing lodges, including Hayes River Lodge, Kokanok Falls and 
Big River Lakes His family recalls he was a superb active airman 
and registered guide. He held the Alaska Master Guide license No. 
2. He continued to operate his business until shortly before his 
death. Dennis traveled to many parts of the world. He was a 
founding member of Safari Club International's Alaska chapter and 
the Alaska Professional Hunters Assn. He was also a member of the 
Explorers Club and QB's. He was preceded in death by his lifetime 
partner and bride of 60 years, Mildred Johnson Branham. Dennis is 
survived by his son and daughter-in- law, Chris and Linda Branham 
of Anchorage; sister, Myrtle Heywood of St. George, Utah; 
brother, Arnold Branham of Rhinelander, Wis.; nephew, Jim Branham 
of Anchorage; and nephew, Craig and Jan Dudley of Eagle River. 
Carl Glenn, Maria Carilao, Mary Flahart-Peck, Gail and Ralph 
Hind, Dr Jack Rasmuson, Todd Kuster, Larry and Katie Jensen, Ron 
and Lynelle Bergt, Collin Leary, Dr. Tom Wood and Bob Gill were 
among his many close and valued friends. Mr. Chip, his golden 
retriever, was his faithful companion to the end. Arrangements 
are by Evergreen Funeral Homes. 

Published in adn.com from 7/28 to 7/29/2009