Larry Wayne Branum

Larry Wayne Branum

March 29, 1949 – July 5, 2026

Larry Wayne Branum passed away on July 5, 2026, at the age of 77, leaving behind a family who adored him, friends who felt like family, and a lifetime of stories that will only get better every time they're told.

Born on March 29, 1949, Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Viola (Stephens) Branum and George Branum, and his brother, Allen Branum.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Branum; his children, Andrea (Greg) Appel, Brian Branum, Kate Branum, and Steve (Kaitlyn) Branum; his granddaughter, Natalie Appel; his brothers Eddie Branum and Kenny (Debbie) Branum; his sister, Trish (Bill) LaPlante; and several nieces and nephews.

Larry gave 110% to every aspect of his life. The definition of a hard worker, he built a decades-long career in the skilled trades, went on to start his own home repair business, and eventually ended up working for the City of Dearborn (one of his all-time favorite jobs). Larry never met a project he wasn’t willing to tackle and never gave up until the job was done right, because he cared.

At home, you could often find Larry re-organizing his garage, tinkering away on the cars, or tuning up his beloved Honda motorcycle he’d bought in 1973 and named “Black Betty” after one of his favorite songs. He was a life-long car fanatic, spending his early years restoring classic muscle cars and his later years as the go-to mechanic for his family and friends.

What people will remember most isn’t just what Larry could fix, but the way he made people feel. He had an easy laugh, an incredible sense of humor, a talent for storytelling, and a genuine interest in everyone he met. He could strike up a conversation with anyone in any setting, and by the end you’d feel like you had known Larry for years. He never tried to impress people, yet somehow always did. He loved lively gatherings, sipping good margaritas, and hearing The Eagles’ Hotel California play through the speakers. Larry had a gift for making others feel more themselves simply by being himself.

Above all else, Larry was a family man. Some of his happiest memories were made during annual trips to the cabin at Black Lake, surrounded by the people he loved most. He showed up for his family every single day, giving everything he had — not only through the big moments, but through the everyday ones. Whether it was lending a hand, offering advice, or simply greeting someone after work with a sincere "How was your day?", he made sure the people he loved knew they mattered.

A Celebration of Larry's Life will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home in Dearborn.

Those who knew Larry know the best way to honor him is to help out when someone needs it, enjoy time with the people you love, don't shy away from a challenge, and maybe raise a margarita while Hotel California plays a little louder than usual.

Memorial contributions in Larry's name may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, 24175 Baske St., Taylor, Michigan 48180