Robert "Bob" Branca

Robert “Bob” John Branca, 71, passed away on Sunday, June 19 after a short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He left his earthly home and met his heavenly father celebrating Father’s Day with him.

Bob was born in our nation’s capital, Washington DC on Jan. 18, 1951, to Joseph Anthony Branca and Margaret Louise “Illian” Branca. He was the brother of Barbaranne Branca. Bob’s early life was in Alexandria, Virginia before he moved to Sterling Heights, MI where he graduated from Stevenson High School. While at Stevenson he met his future brother-in-law Greg Lee who invited him to Covenant Baptist Church. At this church visit, Bob accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was shown the path of salvation by his future father-in-law Rich Lee. Bob never got over his salvation and dedicated his life to serving Christ and others he encountered daily. During this time, he met the love of his life Patricia “Lee” Branca. After dating for several years, they married as they were attending Bible Baptist Seminary in Arlington, Texas. Several years later they graduated from the Seminary.  They were married for more than 50 years. During their marriage, Bob and Pat worked side by side in many churches in several states including Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Texas. Bob also worked in overseas ministries both short-term and long-term places including Brazil, England, and India teaching and raising for a Bible College.

While serving Christ Bob was a father to three children Peter Jonathan Branca (Nicole Branca), Amber Joy “Branca” Brown (Doug Brown), and Andrew Nathan Branca. Bob worked tirelessly to support his family as a self-taught architectural draftsman and later as a machinist. No job was ever beneath him so long as it was honest work. He used his talents as an architectural draftsman to draw blueprints for churches that were expanding. At times he donated his talents to help those organizations grow and flourish.

Bob brought hundreds of people to church both on buses, vans, and using his vehicle. He shared his testimony with anyone that would listen. Bob wanted people to know Christ as he knew him as the Savior that saved his soul. Bob and Pat worked as laypersons in several churches working in the Awana program, teaching Sunday school classes, and serving on staff. Bob was a great teacher who was very knowledgeable about the Bible and shared his knowledge freely. His last class was at Woods Chapel Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas teaching about the Tabernacle.

Bob worked to provide joy in people’s lives daily. He listened to people and had a great sense of humor, which sometimes involved practical jokes. He loved Bible, preachers, pasta, iced tea, popcorn, and a good joke. He will be fondly remembered in the hearts of people that he ministered to, brought to church, taught, and by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Pat his three children and their spouses and five grandchildren James, Tucker, Ethan, Olivia, and Cooper. The family asks if people want to memorialize Bob’s life they can donate to their local church, missionary, or Gideon International. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.

Funeral service for Bob will be Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 10:00AM at Wood’s Chapel Baptist Church (2424 California Lane, Arlington, Texas 76015) with interment to follow at Emerald Hills Memorial Park in Kennedale, Texas.  The family will receive friends and family for visitation on Friday, June 24, 2022 from 6:00-8:00PM at Emerald Hills Memorial Park (500 Kennedale Sublett Road, Kennedale, Texas 76060).