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Judy Branham, One of Utah’s Top Women’s Golf Leaders, Passes Away

Judy Branham, 82, one of the outstanding leaders in women’s golf in Utah for the past 50 years, passed away Thursday of cardiac arrest during her sleep.

She was among the top two or three leaders in women’s golf at both the local and state level and was six time president of the Utah State Women’s Golf Association in the 60s and 70s. She was one of the founding members of the Mountain Dell Women’s Golf Association and for the past few years has been the only surviving founding member of the club.

A special tribute to her provided by her good friend Margaret Nay is posted as a separate story.

The obituary that appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune is as follows:

Julia Ann Branham

1932 ~ 2015

Judy S. Branham was an exceptional lady and certainly “one of a kind”. For the golfers of this world, Judy was that kind of person who made you feel like you just birdied 3 holes in a row. Mom passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 5th, 2015, from cardiac arrest. She was humorous, strong, and witty until the end of her life.

Judy was born in Pocatello, Idaho, June 23, 1932. If you weren't aware, she proclaimed June 23rd as an official holiday! Judy loved her parents, George and Edythe Slingerland, and she always felt so fortunate to have wonderful parents and a happy childhood. Judy was preceded in death by her sister “Corky” whom she idolized. Judy moved to SLC at a young age and she attended East High School and the University of Utah. She graduated from East in 1949 and always cherished being voted the best female athlete for two straight years. Judy earned her bachelor's degree in physical education from the U of U in 1953. She went on to teach physical education at Bountiful High School from 1952-1959. Judy loved her educational experiences (and reunions) and she was a proud member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority at the U of U.
Judy married “Set” Branham in 1958 and they had two children, Georjane and F.D. Blade. She had two grandsons Derek and Dylan Anderson.

Judy spent many summers in Ely, Minnesota as a camp counselor and she developed her love of nature at Camp Northland. Judy's exceptional athletic skills and her desires to “make a difference” in this world were the right fit for her to become the “game changing” leader of the Utah State Women's Golf Association (USWGA). Judy served as the USWGA president in 1968, 69, 70, 71, 72, and 74.

Judy was the last living founding member of the Mt. Dell Ladies Golf Association, Est. in 1962. Her 43+ years of continuous service are well recognized and appreciated by golfers throughout Utah. Judy also received the Jeannie Goddard Memorial Award in 2006, the same year she enjoyed her second hole in one. Mom always said it is better to “focus on the good holes throughout life”! She also taught us the value of long-term friendships and to always LOVE animals.

Judy is survived by two children; Georjane (spouse Sue) and F.D. Blade (spouse Ralph), two grandsons; Derek (spouse Shea) and Dylan Anderson.

Celebration services (tee time!) will be held on Monday, March 9th, 2015, 11am, at Garner Funeral Home/ Salt Lake Mausoleum, 1001 11th Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah.
In lieu of flowers/gifts, please make donations to the Human Society and visit Judy's guest book at www.legacy.com/obituaries/saltlaketribune

Published in Salt Lake Tribune from Mar. 7 to Mar. 8, 2015