Paul F. Brank

BARNARDSVILLE—Paul F. Brank, age 79, of 52 Ivan Bridge Drive, died Sunday, September 16, 2012. Mr. Brank was born November 1, 1932, in Buncombe County where he had lived all of his life. He enjoyed coaching baseball for many years and umpired after coaching. He also like to hunt, fish and garden. He retired from the Asheville Citizen-Times after 46-1/2 years of service. Mr. Brank was a member of Oak Ridge Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank R. and Pauline Whitted Brank; first wife, Bobbie Stowe Brank; sons, Larry and Charles "Chuck" Brank; stepson, David George; and granddaughter, Jessica George. Surviving are his wife, Margie George Brank of the home; sons, Frank Brank and wife Kathy of Weaverville, Darrell Brank of Weaverville, Kenneth Brank and wife Tonya of Leicester, and Bryan Brank of Barnardsville; daughters-in-law, Mary L. Buchanan of Mars Hill and Lucy Lunsford of Hendersonville; stepsons, Charles George and wife Theresa of Robbinsville, Donald George and wife Debbie of Franklin; stepdaughter, Carla Long and husband David of Robbinsville; brothers, Harold Brank and wife Margaret, and R. David Brank, all of Weaverville; 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 20, 2012, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, with Revs. Jerry Jamerson and Larry Sprouse officiating. Burial will be in Williams Branch Cemetery, Barnardsville. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the residence. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Brank's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.