James Scott Branch, age 68, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. He was born on Oct. 23, 1957, in South Bend, Indiana, the son of James and Bonnie (Aspery) Branch.
Scott moved to Batesville, Indiana, in 2015 to care for the family farm, but his heart was always in Colorado. Before moving to Colorado, Scott lived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for several years. Around 1986, he moved to Gunnison, where he worked in the Gunnison Valley as a ski instructor at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and spent a few winters at Monarch Resort. Scott loved to ski and especially enjoyed teaching beginners, sharing with them the magic of the sport.
He also spent hunting seasons guiding hunters on horseback for Quaking Aspen Outfitters. In the summer months, Scott worked for many local ranches but spent most of his time with The Deldarita and The Cross Bar. His days were filled with moving cattle, fixing fences, irrigating and putting up hay for the winter. He loved being in the high country on horseback with his dogs, riding the herd.
Scott was also a talented artist who used his real-life experiences in the mountains to express himself on canvas and through his writings. He enjoyed what others might call a lonely lifestyle, but to him, it was bliss. He found joy in the simple things in life — a good steak, a glass of whiskey, a sure-footed horse and his best companions, his dogs.
He will be greatly missed by his sisters and brother, Kim (Dave) Winans, Tim (Kristie) Branch and Bonnie (Roger) Meyer; his nephews; and his Colorado family, Steve Hamilton, Tara (Chris) Gebauer and Morgan (Jace) Mortensen.
Cremation was chosen, and a memorial service may be held at a later date. Services were entrusted to Meyers Funeral Home, Batesville, Indiana.
