Fred H. Brannen Jr.

Fred H. Brannen, Jr., 77, of Inverness died on Saturday, July 22, 2023. He was born on August 1, 1945, in Dade City, Florida, to the late Fred, Sr. and the late Hazel Roberts Brannen. He moved to Inverness from Tallahassee in 1983.

Fred served his country as a member of the U.S. Army reserve from 1965 through 1971, attaining the rank of specialist 5th class.

He was a banker with a career which spanned more than 45 years, including 10 years with the Florida State Banking Department, first as an examiner and then, from 1976 until 1979, as the Assistant Director of the Division of Banking. From 1982 until his retirement in 2008, he was Senior Vice President and Comptroller for Brannen Banks of Florida, Inc. in Inverness.

Fred was a columnist for the Citrus County Chronicle, producing A Slice of Life for 26 years, from 1988 until 2014. In 2014, he published a novel, At the Bottom of Biscayne Bay, and in 2019 he added a second novel, A Boy Called Button.

He was a member of the Inverness Connection Church of God.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his parents-in-law Barry and Helen Lynch, and his sister-in-law Jerry Lee Brannen. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 56 years, Cheryl Ann “Sherry” Lynch Brannen; three children, Shari Elisabeth “Beth” Evans; Rebecca Eve “Becky” and husband Kurt Lasse; and, Fred III and wife Gayla Brannen; seven grandchildren, Ariana Brannen and partner Marcus Batson; Emily Lasse Opsahl and husband Gabe Opsahl; Kaylee Brannen and partner Jacqueline Ward; Ashley Evans and fiancé Jacob Ooton; Eric Lasse; Chloe Brannen and partner Katt Beckham; and Joy Evans and partner Nate Davila-Rivera.

He is also survived by his “good brother” William Brannen; two nieces, Regina Lee and husband Bruce Lee and son Evan Lee, and Alicia Brannen; his bonus daughter Patricia “Patti” Beck and husband Steve Beck, their children Kristian and wife Jessica Beck and Casey and partner Shelby Shultz. In addition, he will be missed by his large extended family, the Lynches.

Services will be held at Connection Church of God 416 U.S. Highway 41 Inverness, Florida on Saturday, July 29 at 11 AM.

Fred loved life, he loved his dear sweet wife and his family, he loved God, and he is now in the presence of the Lord.

Arrangements by Heinz Funeral Home, Inverness, FL.  www.heinzfh.com