Bowman Funeral Home
"I was born, I blinked, and it was over."
Donald Harrison Brandt, Jr. 74, of Boise, ID, quietly died at home on Monday evening, November 18, 2024 after a 10 month battle with cancer.
Don was born in Nashville, NC on July 2, 1950. The favorite of four children, he was the son of Donald Harrison Brandt Sr. and Ethelene Joyner Brandt.
Don's father served in the military, and the family moved across the United States many times. Living such a nomadic life when growing up, he attended 14 schools in 12 years. Don picked cotton and worked in tobacco fields as a child. After his father was stationed at Mountain Home AFB, Don graduated from MHHS in 1968. He returned to North Carolina where he attended NC State University. Don excelled playing the trumpet throughout his school and college years.
There are no buildings named after him, no monuments erected in his honor, and no street names bear his name, but he was incredibly kind and caring. He was an outstanding math genius and could add up a string of numbers, calculating tax faster than a cashier could. Don lived from Florida to Indiana and places in between, finally settling in Asheville NC. He attended the Berea Baptist Church in Asheville. His career included various positions in sales management from the golf industry to selling mobile homes. He attended the 1992 Masters Tournament in Agusta, GA and proudly owned a set of drinking glasses from that tournament, collecting more dust than drinks. (Thank you Ron Burley!) In 2006 he graduated from the CMH Academy of Sales and Management. Don loved Craig's List, and could sell ice to an Eskimo! After his retirement, he worked part-time delivering parts for NAPA and delivering vehicles for Honda. He enjoyed seeing the Pacific NW and places in other western states as well. Don detested onions, and made it known to every person he met he would not eat them.
In 2010 Don moved to Boise, ID to attend a class reunion, and to be with former classmate, Susan. They shared the next 14 years together, RVing, gardening, and being with friends and family. Don left behind a heck of a lot of stuff, most of which we have no idea what to do with. The tools - not sure what they are even for. SO MUCH STUFF!!
He is survived by his fianc?, and very best friend of 14 years, Susan Worthington; his daughter, Anita Brandt-Bruce (Gary) (Noah, Ellah and Mia) of Asheville, NC; his son Harrison Foster (Megan) of Clayton NC; his step-daughter, Larissa Rossman (Adam) of Eveleth, MN; his two . sisters, Judy Jackson (Gary) of Goldsboro, NC and Jean Best of Goldsboro, NC. It should be noted he is survived by special cousins in NC - Jerry (Stan) Matthews and Carlton Walker. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews, cousins and two Boston Terriers, Tee Tee and Bailey. Additional survivors are "Mommer," Jean Worthington, Nancy Worthington Felix, and Sean (Dawn) Wells, all members of Susan's family. He was preceded in death by his parents Donald Harrison Brandt and Ethelene Joyner Brandt; and a brother, Elton Brandt.
Speaking of survivors, Don had many classmates he valued as good friends. Special mention goes to his surviving cancer coach, ol' Chicken Legs, Wayne Keith (Jane).
A celebration of life and memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Covenant Presbyterian Church (5 Mile and McMillan Rd). Donations may be made to the church in Don's name.
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Idaho Press
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