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Forrest Braselton
October 17, 1936 - September 19, 2010

Forrest Gene “Duke” Braselton, 73, of Nacogdoches passed away on September 18, 2010. Duke was the eldest child of Royce Duncan Braselton and Cynthia Gregory Braselton. He was born on October 17, 1936, in Beaumont, Texas and lived all of his life in East Texas. At an early age, his father gave him the nickname of “Duke” by which he was known for the rest of his life. Duke's mother, Cynthia Braselton, was widowed when Duke and his sisters were quite young. Duke greatly admired his mother and was very close to her until her death at the age of 100.

He was married to Margaret Minard Braselton for 30 years.

Duke graduated in 1954 from Nacogdoches High School and was a graduate of Stephen F. Austin and Baylor University School of Law. He made many lasting friendships in Nacogdoches and at Baylor that were very important to him throughout his life.

Duke practiced law in the East Texas area for almost fifty years. He was with the Garrison, Renfrow, Zelesky, Cornelius and Berry firm in Lufkin. In 1975, wanting to return to his hometown, he opened his own law office in Nacogdoches.

Duke was truly a larger than life person with a heart of gold to so many people. He most enjoyed being surrounded by his family and also took great joy in being host to his wide circle of friends. He delighted in his annual summer trips with his family to the Gulf and later with his children and grandchildren to Crested Butte, Colorado, and winter ski trips to New Mexico.

Duke was a very active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and he was instrumental in helping many people along the road to recovery, by his actions, words and good deeds.

He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. He especially enjoyed being part of his Sunday School class led by Mark Simmons.

He is survived by his children, Ann Claire Braselton Staneff (and husband Steve), Royce Duncan Braselton II, and Cameron Minard Braselton (and girlfriend Denise San Nicolas), his grandchildren Taylor Ann Braselton, Margaret Ashlyn Braselton (and their mother Shawna Smith Braselton), and Simone Nadia Staneff, and his sisters Valerie Braselton and Sue Braselston Woodruff (and husband Thad). Duke was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Minard Braselton, his parents, Royce and Cynthia Braselton, and his granddaughter Nadia Margaret Staneff.

In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 411 North St., Nacogdoches, Tx. or Nacogdoches High School Scholarship Fund in Forrest G. Braselton or Cynthia Braselton's name.

Pallbearers will be Sam Bass, Ronnie Blackstock, George Chandler, Steve Cox, Mac Gann, John Heath, Bryan Scott and Robert Shirley.

Honary Pallbearers are Ed Mac Benchoff, Clarence Gound, Milton Pitts, Dock Lazarine, Mark Simmons and Craig Stripling.

Visitation will be at First Baptist Church in Nacogdoches on Friday, September 24, 2010, from 5:00PM to 7:00PM.

Services will be at 2:00PM on Saturday, September 25, 2010, at First Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, Dr. Allen Reed officiating.