Donald Joseph “Don” Brannon, 87, born Dec. 24, 1932, passed away Oct. 24, 2020, after bravely battling multiple cancers. He was surrounded by his family.
Growing up in Washington, D.C., during World War II, Don did his part to support the war effort. He collected tires, newspapers and pots and pans; attended war bond drives; and helped the neighborhood air wardens. Don attended St. Johns High School. After graduating, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Korea. After completing his service, he enrolled in Miami University of Ohio, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and met his wife, Suzi.
After graduating in 1958 with a degree in accounting, Don went to work for Westinghouse Aerospace in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1959, he married Suzi, the love of his life, at Wright Patterson Air Force Base Chapel in Dayton, Ohio. In 1965, Don earned an MBA from American University, Washington, D.C.
During his career in finance, Don first joined Westinghouse, Aerospace Division, where he worked on the Bomarc Missile and B-70 Bomber. He later moved to Corporate Headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Next, he worked for Rockwell International, where he served as controller for their Aircraft Division. Don retired as CFO of Rockwell Valves in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In that position, he directed the finances of 9 plants — six in the USA and the other three in France, Scotland and Canada. These two companies took Don and Suzi to Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida, Oklahoma and finally back to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During these years, the family enjoyed boating, snow skiing, camping trips and annual summer vacations in Bethany Beach, Delaware. Don also enjoyed going to the Pennsylvania mountains every hunting season for over 40 years with a group of friends who became “family.”
Wherever the Brannon’s lived, Don was an active volunteer. His many interests included the Optimist Club (distinguished president and lieutenant governor) and the Midget League (president and coach of baseball and basketball) in Catonsville, Maryland. There, in 1965, he received the Catonsville JayCees Distinguished Service Award and the State of Maryland Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award. In Pittsburgh, Don was active in the Indian Guides and Boy Scouts of America. He also supported the American Cancer Society and the Rotary Club (president). Don was foremost a good man who wanted to give care and support to his family, friends and community.
After retiring from Rockwell, Don began the pursuit of his lifelong love of cars. First, he owned a Western Auto repair and parts store. Next, he invented and patented a customized truck — The NextUP — successfully combining the advantages of a cargo van with a pick-up truck. His passion led him to have fun designing a full-scale prototype. As Don said, “Another item to check off my bucket list.” Other completed items on his bucket list include skydiving in 2017 and an African Safari in 2018.
After Don sold his Western Auto store, he and Suzi moved to Ford’s Colony in Williamsburg, where Don designed and acted as the general contractor to build their dream house. In Williamsburg, he was active in the James City Lions Club, the Sons of the American Revolution, the USO and the Historic Virginia Land Conservancy, where he received the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year in 2015. Don was in the first team of volunteers for the opening of the Liberty Lounge, providing hospitality to military personnel visiting Colonial Williamsburg.
Don and Suzi have enjoyed traveling, playing golf, card games with friends and bowling during their retirement years. He was an avid fan of the Washington Redskins and the Washington Nationals. The Brannons are members of Saint Bede Catholic Church.
Don was preceded in death by his daughter, Joan Lynne Brannon; sister, Mary Patricia Benso; and parents, John William and Jane Frances Rafferty Brannon.
Don is survived by his wife of 61 years, Suzanne “Suzi” Smith Brannon; daughter, Linda Brannon Rembold; son and his wife, John and Nancy Brannon; five grandchildren, Rachel and Roark Rembold and Kylie, Sean and Caroline Brannon; and nieces and nephews, Patty Golshani, Michael Benso, David Benso, Peggy Gabor and their spouses and children.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be made to Williamsburg House of Mercy, 10 Harrison Ave., Williamsburg, VA 23185; or Historic Virginia Land Conservancy, 5000 New Point Road, Suite 3101, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Don will be buried in a private ceremony at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, Maryland, beside his daughter, Joan Lynne.
Share online condolences with the family at Bucktrout of Williamsburg Funeral Service.
