Marvin Brannon

Marvin Harold Brannon, known to all as "Bud" was born in Brownfield, TX on July 4, 1933. He died in Waxahachie on February 23, 2014. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Frances Donehoo Brannon; his daughters, Bonnie Wright and her husband Tom, Beth Sanders and her husband Michael; eight grandchildren, Wendy McCart and her husband, Quentin, Anna Hithersay and her husband Jason, Denise Wright, Tommy Wright and his wife Rachael, Bryson Sanders, Brannon Sanders, Laurie Beth Sanders, and Karis Marie Sanders; three great-grandchildren, Nathan Hithersay, Stefan McCart, and Abel McCart; and five siblings, Jere Don Brannon, Juanita Kellough, Pat Bolin, Charles Brannon, and Gena Smith; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Marvin Jefferson Brannon; his mother, Myrtle Brannon Hairston; and his brother, Bobby Dale Brannon. Bud was born and raised in Texas, graduating from La Vega High school. He spent a semester at Baylor University before enlisting in the Marine Corps. He was stationed stateside during the Korean War, achieving the rank of sergeant. After his discharge he attended William Jennings Bryan College in Dayton TN, where he met and married Frances Donehoo in 1956. He then transferred to the University of Tennessee to complete his Bachelor's degree in Zoology and went on to complete a Master's Degree in Ecology. After graduation, Bud began what would be a long life of civil service. His work with the federal government brought him back home to Texas where he continued to work until he retired in 1982. However, he continued to stay busy as a Reserve Officer with the Dallas Police Department, the Ellis County Sheriff's Department and several other law enforcement agencies. He also had a remodeling business and even briefly had a cattle raising business. He was at his desk at the Sheriff's Department last Friday. Frances likes to say that some men love golf, Bud loved the Sheriff's Department. The other thing he enjoyed doing was traveling with Frances and their various close friends. He took rafting and kayak trips, tropical and Alaskan cruises, traveled throughout his home state of Texas as well as around the US, Ireland and even traveled to Kazakhstan to do mission work. Bud's faith in Jesus Christ was central to his life. When he was not working, he spent time volunteering at his church, where he taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and helped out in many other ways. Services to celebrate Bud's life will be held Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Ferris Heights United Methodist Church with Rev. Carol Roberts officiating. Interment with military honors will be held at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery at a later date. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at Wayne Boze Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the William Jennings Bryan College, 721 Bryan Drive, Dayton, TN 37321.

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