Tomorrow I drive to Williamsburg, Virginia, to say a fond adieu and au revoir to my nephew Branch Tucker Fields, Jr.  Branch departed this life a few days ago after a difficult two year period with serious medical issues.  We will miss him.

Adieu is a perfect word for parting.  Literally, it means “to God” or “God keep you.”  Au revoir means “Till I see you again.”  The separation will not be for long.

I sill remember the first time I saw Branch.  It was December, 1939.  He was born in January that year, so he was almost a year old at that time.  I was ten, and my brother Branch, his wife Ruth and little Branch had come to live near us at Carolina Beach.

Young Branch Jr.

Over the years Branch Jr. and I, along with other members of the family, had many memorable moments together.  I will miss him very much.

In the summer of 1957 Branch Jr. saved my eldest son, Sandy Jr, from drowning in the surf at Carolina Beach.  Later he honed those lifesaving skills by attending medical college and becoming a fine physician.

Shortly after medical school, Branch married a lovely young lady named Jaylene, and they had a beautiful family – Sarah, Branch IlI, Molly and Hannah.  Now, of course, there are grandchildren.  It is a wonderful, loving group of people.

Branch Jaylene and family

circa 1980

Branch was an excellent man and led a blessed life. I praise God for him, and I was honored to call him my nephew.