Gordon C. 'Red' Brannon, 79

Gordon C. “Red” Brannon, 79, died Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, at A.J. Merrick Hospice after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Per his wishes, there will be a private family service with no visitation. A Celebration of Life (Irish Party) will be Saturday, Sept. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Gathering Place, 750 N. Clarmar Street, in Fremont. The family requests that everyone come casual and wear green to honor a great Irishman. A special family toast will be made at 6:30 p.m.

Gordon C. Brannon was born on March 30, 1933, in San Francisco, Calif. He was raised in Southern California until the age of 10, when his family moved to Alda in 1943. They ultimately settled in Wood River in 1947. He graduated from Wood River High School in 1951. On Feb. 21, 1954, he married Maxyne Steffen in Grand Island.

He began his career with the Geo. A. Hormel Company in 1955 in Fremont. He worked for Hormel in Columbus and Pocatello, Idaho, and returned to Fremont in 1970.

Mr. Brannon retired in 1973 from Hormel to establish Brannon Enterprises and pursue private land and business development in Fremont until his death.

Family was the center of his world and he was very proud of his grandchildren. He coached many years and then moved to the sidelines to watch the grandkids in any sport. He loved Husker sports and the 49ers.

He was a 60-year member of the Episcopal Church, and was a 42-year member at St. James in Fremont.

Mr. Brannon was a 58-year member of Masonic Lodge 318 in Grand Island and a member of the Fremont Eagles FOE 200. He was also an active member of several civic and community organizations.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Maxyne Brannon of Fremont; sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Dawn Brannon of Omaha, Mike and Amy Brannon of Williston, N.D., and Curt and Pat Brannon of Elkhorn; daughter and son-in-law, Steffenie and Jack Morine of Blair; sister and brother-in-law, Lynne and Gilbert Manning of Grand Island; grandchildren, Shae Brannon of Los Angeles, Calif., Miranda Brannon and fiancé Ted Turnblacer of Baltimore, Md.; Ian and Halle Brannon of Elkhorn and Hannah and Abbey Morine of Blair; and other family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St James Episcopal Church, Fremont, or the Wood River NE Foundation, Wood River.

Ludvigsen Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.