David Branch

Faced with a diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) - David Jerome Branch reacted as he lived his life, with grace, courage and love. David, 71, of Sedona, AZ, succumbed to the illness Oct. 6 after a long and brave fight.

A native of Phoenix, David was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, sibling and friend to all who knew him. Trained as a plumber, he worked in the business in Arizona for more than 50 years.

It took more than a year to make his ALS diagnosis, which is common with this disease. His wife Peggy credits Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix for finally making that diagnosis. "He never complained, even through his final days of suffering, and always had a smile on his face", his wife Peggy said.

His daughter, singer Michelle Branch, said on Instagram, "my father is the hero of my story. He believed in me strongly enough to let me drop out of high school to pursue music." ALS, she said, is a "horrendous disease" and she hopes "there will be a cure in her lifetime."

His lifelong friend Lenny Karbo called David "an inspiration."

Along with his wife and daughter, he is survived by Michelle's husband, Patrick Carney, of Nashville; son David and Jessica, of AZ; daughter, Nicole, of Nashville; grandchildren Owen Landau, David Atlas Branch, and Rhys and Willie Carney. He is also survived by sisters, Trisha Seeger and Steve of AZ; Ann Carroll Wilson of HI; Kristen Vassar, of AZ; Cindy Hughes and Tim of AZ; Susie Conley and Mark of HI; and Mary Yahner and Jeff of AZ.

He is also survived by brothers Tom and Mary Pat Branch of AZ, Johnny and Carmen Branch of AZ and Mike and Terry Branch of AZ. He was predeceased by his parents, David Carroll Branch and Geri Branch.

The family urges friends to donate to ALS related organizations to find a cure.

Services for David are being arranged by Greer's Mortuary of Sedona and Whitney Murphy Funeral Home of Phoenix.