Rev Lb Broach Iii

The Reverend LB Broach, III was born July 30, 1924, in Pittsburg, Texas, the eldest son of LB Broach, Jr. and Margaret Wylie Broach. The following is a quote taken from, "I Had to Be a Minister", an autobiography by LB, penned for his theology class in Homiletics at Perkins School of Theology during the Winter Quarter of 1947:

"Most of my childhood was spent in our little home which my parents had built across the road from my grandparents. I grew up in a happy home. My father and mother were very much in love, and expression of affection was free among us all. Nearly every day Daddy told us how much he loved us, how proud he was of us, and what a good cook Mother was. He felt that he was the most fortunate man in the world with such a family. I often heard him say that people were not as thankful as they ought to be.

While it was my Mother from whom I received my specifically religious instruction, it was from my father that I was impressed by unalterable ethics. Daddy gave quiet approval to our religious training. However he had much to say about honesty and liquor. He had no respect for those who were questionable in business but who prayed loudly in church. Absolute honesty was his prime requirement for respectability. Alcohol had no place in his household. He hated it with a passion, for he knew of so much evil which came in its wake. He never touched it, and his most fervent hope was that neither of his sons would ever touch it."

At age 12, LB's father died unexpectedly. He recalled his thoughts of that time as follows:

"Daddy was gone. I was heartbroken, but I was thankful that I had memories of his love and care. Even at eleven I was thankful that I had lost a good father in death, rather than to drink and divorce as some children do. Daddy left us only a little insurance in a material way, but he left us a good name, and "a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." Of my ancestry I am proud. I have been told many times since that if I grow to be as good a man as either my father or grandfather, I would be a fine man."

As a boy, LB dreamed of being a statesman. However, at the end of his freshman year of high school, "the conviction came to me that I should be a preacher," and the conviction was repeatedly confirmed and deepened over the next few years. LB said,

"On the Sunday of my graduation from high school, our minister. announced that as he had made his decision to preach when he lived at Pittsburg, so had I made that same decision. The congregation rejoiced with pride and weeping.

I was licensed to preach at a meeting of the District Licensing Committee on July 20, 1942, ten days before I was eighteen. I entered the College of Arts and Sciences at S.M.U. the following September. I was graduated under the accelerated college program on February 27, 1945, having been in S.M.U. only two and one-half years. The natural step was to enter the School of Theology on the campus the next month."

LB graduated from Perkins School of Theology and was ordained in May 1948 as an elder in the Texas Annual Conference.

In 1952, LB wed Lucille Alexander, in Dallas, Texas, and they were blessed with two daughters. LB faithfully served as a Methodist minister throughout East Texas until his retirement in June 1993 to Plano, Texas. Pastorates included Methodist churches in Quitman (First), Caldwell (First), Tyler (Pleasant Retreat), Port Arthur (St. Mark's), Crockett (First), Houston (St. Marks), Nacogdoches (First), Marshall (First), and Henderson (First). LB also served as the Palestine District Superintendent in the early 1980s. LB excelled at pastoral care and administration and won many hearts through his "gentle and quiet spirit."

After retiring, LB and Lucille loved hosting their 5 grandsons in their home on Friday nights, where LB frequently grilled steaks. He and Lucille were active members of the Disciples Sunday School Class at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. A lifelong Rotarian, LB served as President of the Nacogdoches Rotary Club in the early 70's. After his retirement he was an active member of the Plano Rotary Club, also assisting in the organization of the Allen Sunrise Rotary Club.

While we here grieve your passing, LB, we celebrate your earthly life modeling a beautiful reflection of Christian servant hood. We rejoice in the assurance that you are worshiping at the feet of Jesus.

LB is survived by his wife Lucille Broach, daughters Cyndi O'Bannon and her husband Steve and Pamela Peck, grandchildren Micah O'Bannon and his wife Dara, Walter O'Bannon and his wife Shannon, Ricky O'Bannon, Kirk O'Bannon and Alex Peck. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Richard Broach. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 6, 2015 at 10:00 am at Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Rd., Plano, Texas 75075 with Reverend EB Beasley officiating. Burial will follow at Rosehill Cemetery in Pittsburg, Texas.