Dan Paulk Branch

Dan Paulk Branch, age 92, passed away October 29, 2023 after a lengthy illness. 

Rev. Zach Sasser will lead the memorial service at First Presbyterian Church on November 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. A reception at the church will follow the service. Interment to follow at Greenlawn Cemetary. 

Dan was born on March 3, 1931 in Fitzgerald, GA to Felix W. Branch and Mavis Paulk Branch.  The family lived in Georgia, South Carolina, and Oregon and moved to Florida after World War II.  After graduation from Lee High School in Jacksonville, FL. Dan obtained a B.A. in Architecture from the University of Florida and a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Columbia University and attended the Architectural Association in London where he received a Certificate in Tropical Architecture.  He received the William Kinne Fellows Fellowship and later the Perkins Boring Fellowship enabling several years of travel in Europe, culminating in the publishing of a book, Folk Architecture of the Eastern Mediterranean.  After teaching for several years at Columbia University, he next taught for many years at the University of Florida, the University of Miami and the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) serving first as Head of the Architecture Department and later as Professor. After retirement he taught part time at Southern University and then worked for several years at Lafayette Consolidated Government in the Traffic and Transportation Department.  In addition to teaching, Dan maintained a private architectural practice designing many public buildings, commercial buildings and private dwellings including his own home in Gainesville, Florida which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Dan was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lafayette, serving as Elder and on the property committee.  He was also a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Construction Specifications Institute.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Sonya Meyer Branch, his sons Thomas Branch (Maria) and Martin Branch (Jeannine), his grandchildren, Ashley Aucoin (Tyler), Katie Branch, Erin Branch and great-grandson Theo Aucoin, brother-in-law, Roger Meyer (Alice) and nephews, Joseph Meyer (Sarah), Lloyd Meyer, Nathan Meyer (Samantha), Michael Meyer, and many cousins. 

The family would like to thank his long time personal caregiver, Rosalyn Charles for her dedication, and family caregiver Ella Griffin for her support of the family as well. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Lafayette or to the charity of your choice.