John Brandon

Kerrville, Texas John Nelson Brandon, 76, of Kerrville, Texas entered into eternal rest on May 9, 2007 at his residence with his loving family by his side. He was born to W. P. and Merian Mong Brandon on August 20, 1930 in Cranberry, PA, just 20 miles from the first oil well discovered in the United States.He graduated high school in 1948, and then joined the United States Navy in 1949, serving 6 years with active and reserve duty. After returning from the Navy, he worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad for 4 years before meeting the only love of his life, Elizabeth Bettie Norris, whom he married on June 26, 1954. They settled in El Cajon, California where he was a Design Engineer for General Dynamics. On March 5, 1968, God answered their prayers and blessed them with a wonderful daughter. After 15 years with General Dynamics, the family moved back to PA to be close to parents and returning to their roots, only to be disgruntled after the first major snow storm of the season. They again ventured to California to pursue a variety of business interests, only to return to an area that they loved and enjoyed that being the Hill Country of Texas. In November of 1978, they purchased H F Trophies and operated it for 20 years before selling it for the more subtle life of retirement.John began a life long interest in the Masonic Lodge when he was raised a Master Mason in the Oil City, PA Lodge in 1953. He became a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason in 1954 in New Castle, PA. he then joined the Al Bahr Shrine in 1972 in San Diego, CA., where he served as Shrine Band President in 1975. His Masonic affiliation with Kerrville Masonic Lodge 697 occurred after moving to Kerrville, and he became a member of the Kerrville Order of the Eastern Star 24 in 1987, and served as Worthy Patron with his wife Betty as Worthy Matron in 1989. He was also a member of the Hill Country Shrine Club.He enjoyed playing the clarinet, and was a member of a combo dance band whom he played with for almost 10 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Kerrville, Texas.John was preceded in death by his parents.Surviving him are his loving wife of 52 years, Elizabeth of Kerrville, TX daughter, Debra J. Smith and husband Dwayne of Prosper, TX grandchildren, Dalton Dwayne Smith, and Daylin Elizabeth Smith of Prosper, TX one sister, Louise Aaron of Franklin, PA, numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of many loving friends, neighbors, and his Masonic family.A Memorial Service will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, May 12, 2007 in the Chapel of Kerrville Funeral Home with Rev. Warren Hornung officiating. Inurnment of cremains will be held at a later date at Brandon Cemetery in Cranberry, PA.In lieu of floral arrangements, the family suggests memorials be made to Peterson Hospice, 1121 Broadway, Kerrville, Texas 78028, or to the Shrine Childrens Hospitals.Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Kerrville Funeral Home.

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