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Branson "Ban" KelseyBywaters
November 25, 1947 - February 03, 2026
Branson Kelsey Bywaters, affectionately known as “Ban,”was born on November 25, 1947, in
Dallas, Texas, to David Walter Bywaters and Dorothy Martin Bywaters. He lived in Paris, Texas,
until the age of three and thenmoved to Dallas where he resided for themajority of his life.
Branson attended Highland ParkHigh School, graduating in 1966,where he played football. He
continued his athleticcareer at Austin College, playing football for two years before transferring
to Southern MethodistUniversity, fromwhich he graduated in 1970. While at SMU, hewas a
member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He received an MBA fromtheUniversity of Dallas in
1980.
On February 23, 1974, Bransonmarried Kathleen Cullinan Hazelhurstin Kerrville, Texas,with
whomhe shared nearly 52 years of marriage.
Following college, Branson served in the Army National Guard from1970 to 1976 as a
paratrooper.
Professionally, Branson spentthe first half of hiscareer in commercial banking,working with
several institutions including the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking, Dallas Federal
Savings and Loan, Bright Bank, and BankOne. He later transitioned into financial planning,
serving clients through Merrill Lynch and ultimately Morgan Stanley,where he concluded his
professionalcareer.
Fromthe age of six, Branson was an avid train enthusiast, a passion that broughtjoy to countless
families throughouttheDallascommunity. Each Christmas season, he created elaboratemodel
train displays in retail venues including the Crescent, Galleria Dallas, and NorthPark Center,with
proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. Ban deeply loved his family, had a
passionate heartfor helping those in need, and cherished witnessing the joy the trains broughtto
children and families during the Christmas season.
Branson was a lifelongmember of SaintMichael and All Angels Episcopal Church,where he
faithfully served as an usher. Hewas trustee emeritus for the JoeM. and Doris R. Dealey Family
Foundation and past boardmember of Equest and St.John’s Episcopal School. Branson was an
activemember and past president of the Preston Center Rotary Club and belonged to severalsocial
organizations, including the Idlewild Club, Terpsichorean Club, Calyx Club, and Dervish Club, and
previously served as president of the Terpsichorean Club.
Branson passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026,surrounded by family at Presbyterian
Hospital in Dallas, Texas, after a several year battlewith Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA).
He is predeceased by his parents, his oldersister, Patricia Waller, and his older brother, David
Bywaters II. He is survived by his immediate family: his wife of nearly 52 years, Kathleen Cullinan
Hazelhurst Bywaters; his son, Branson Kelsey Bywaters II, and his wife, Leigh Ann; his daughter,
Natalie Bywaters Lee, and her husband, Brian Lee; his younger brother, William McDonald
Bywaters, and his wife, Kay; and his beloved grandchildren, Emma Lee and Preston Lee; his nieces
Melinda Downey and Catherine Kivlan, and his nephewDavid Walter Bywaters III.
A funeralservicewill be held on March 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at SaintMichael and All Angels
Episcopal Church in Dallas.
In lieu of flowers,memorial donations may bemade to the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas,
SaintMichael and All Angels Episcopal Church, and TheMuseumof American Railroads in Frisco,
Texas.