Julian Edwin Brannon
Jun 12, 1928 - Apr 14, 2023
Posted by Carol Rice

© Jones-Harkins Funeral Home
(permission granted)

Julian Edwin Brannon died April 14, 2023 in Wister, Oklahoma.
 

The family will greet friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at the Jones Harkins Funeral Home Chapel in Wilburton.
 

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at the LeFlore Cemetery in LeFlore, Oklahoma with Reverend Johnny Montgomery officiating. Military honors provided by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard.
 

Pallbearers will be Cody Moore, Jeremie Moore, Logan Gandee, Steven Thomas, Tristan Moore, Liam Moore, Gracie Gandee, Haylee Moore, Carson Srygley, and Samuel Moore.

Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Moore, and Leroy Thomas.
 

Julian was born June 12, 1928 in Conway, Arkansas to Lonnie Brannon and Delia Brashears Brannon. He was the only surviving sibling after his brothers and sisters preceded him in death. His brothers were Jim Brannon, Elmer Brannon, Lonnie Sylvan Brannon, and Walter Patton "Pat" Brannon. His sisters were Margaret "Doll" Crowe, Dorothy Brannon, and Carol Pyle.

As a child, his large family lived in many different states, mostly in the southwest. He graduated high school in Compton, California and attended Compton Junior College. His educational endeavors would expand later in his life.
 

In 1945, he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a rifleman and Marine Air Depot Security officer. In 1946, he met Nancy Lee Duckett and they married in 1947.

Julian and Nancy had two daughters: Susan and Julie, and the family resided in Long Beach, California. In 1955, a career opportunity would have him move his family to Arlington, Texas where he worked as an electronic technician and illustrator for LTV Corporation. After a few years, a career in law enforcement beckoned him and he served as a police officer for the City of Arlington, Texas until 1961. He joined Bell Helicopter in 1963 and had the position of engineering technical illustrator and writer until 1986. During his time at Bell Helicopter, he also attended The University of Texas at Arlington to pursue his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Political Science, English, and Sociology. He later attended University of Oklahoma Norman for his PhD studies in Political Science.

Julian’s final career move came in 1986 after he retired from Bell Helicopter and became an instructor at Eastern Oklahoma State College and Carl Albert State College. He loved teaching and continued in that field well into his 70's. While an instructor in Gerontological Studies at Carl Albert State College, he wrote articles that were published in Oklahoma newspapers about the field of Gerontology and American English Language topics.
 

In 1968, Julian married Roberta "Polly" Thomas and to his delight gained two more daughters: Janet and Lena, as well as a son: Leroy. After retiring from Bell Helicopter, he and Polly built their dream home on a mountain in Talihina, Oklahoma. This beautiful home became the focal point for all of their children to gather and later many grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Julian and Polly were also proficient gardeners and all of his children benefited from their hard work. Julian loved to read and could competently educate and entertain all of us with his vast knowledge, especially about his favorite topics, which included the history of World War II. He also loved to watch college football and was a Dallas Cowboy fan. Julian's most endearing trait to all his children and grandchildren was his keen sense of humor and his love of joke telling. He would usually start laughing before he could even finish a joke and had everyone laughing at his infectious laugh, instead of his jokes.

When his beloved wife, Polly, died in 2017, the family knew he had a hole in his heart but as was his nature, he put on a brave face for all of us.
 

Julian will be greatly missed by his children and their spouses: Leroy Thomas and wife Shirley, Janet Pendery and husband Stephen, Lena Moore and husband Steve, Julie Puckett and husband Jay, and Susan Ford.
 

He will also be missed as "Papa" whom he is affectionately known as, to his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. His grandchildren are: Jason Ford and wife Lisa, Rachel Wilkinson and husband Evan, Jeremie Moore and wife Andrea, Cody Moore and wife Jessica, Jenny Gandee and husband Fred, Tracy Srygley and husband Rick, Steve Thomas and wife Mickie, Brandy Stretch, and Jennifer Stretch."Papa's" great grandchildren are: Tristan Moore, Samuel Moore, Haylee Moore, Liam Moore, Ciara and Brandon Cordova, Carson Srygley, Cameron Coleman, Chase Coleman, Gracie Gandee, Logan Gandee, Jacob and Shelby Gandee, Megan Thomas, Steve and Sara Brook Thomas, Presley Thomas, Tucker Thomas, Kamrin Alipnat Rowlett, Kaleb Rowlett, Julian Smith, Judd Ford, Alexander Ford, Caius Ford, Dax Ford, Lonny Ford, Iris Wilkinson, Logan Wilkinson and Isaiah Sandobal.
 

Julian was also preceded in death by son-in-law: Jaye Ford; and great grandchildren: Christopher Gandee, and Cammie Stretch.

Thank You For Your Service!

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