Edward Leroy Brant

Born October 4, 1920 to Ernest and Katherine Brant on a small farm in Oakville, Washington. He had four brothers and one sister. It was there that he developed his lifelong love of fruit pies and wild salmon. After high school, he and his brother, Buster started working at the Boeing Airplane Company in Seattle. In 1943, he was accepted into the Army Air Corp Cadet Program. He trained as a pilot and flew B24s on twelve missions as part of the 489th Bomb Group out of Halesworth England. He and his crew trained on B-29s, but the war ended before their planned deployment to the Pacific. After the WW II, he decided to make the Air Force his career and became a meteorologist, while also maintaining pilot proficiency. The Air Force sent him to Saint Louis University for their Master’s and Doctorate programs. He was awarded the Air Combat Medal; the European, African, and Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the Army of Occupation Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; and the Air Force Longevity Service Award. After retirement from the Air Force, he continued service at the Pentagon working for Computer Sciences Corporation until full retirement.

Ed met his wife of more than 50 years, Marion Virginia Henry in Texas during his initial flight training. Son Charles Edward was born in 1946 and daughter Katherine Ann arrived in 1947. After twenty years of traveling the family settled in Arlington, Virginia in 1962.

He was always interested in learning and was happiest when he was doing something. His interests including working as an escort at Virginia Hospital Center, bowling, and restoring antique furniture. He was an avid antique Ford hobbyist, owning several Model T Fords and a Model A. He was a past President of the Nation’s Capital Model T Ford Club and participated with his son and his family in many national Model T tours including the 75th and 100th Anniversary Tours of the 1909 New York to Seattle Car Race. He enjoyed the fellowship of Community United Church. He and friends found inspiration in the Serenity Prayer.

Ed was an extremely giving and empathetic soul. His life was dedicated to the service of others, yet he never expected or asked anything in return for his sacrifices. He consistently put the needs of his country, community, family, and neighbors before his own. He set an example all of us wish we could follow, as he faced each day with a firm moral compass, a simple philosophy of helping anyway he could, and a never bending belief in hard work, family, and God. He touched the lives of everyone he met in a positive way; no more so than his beloved family.

Ed will be missed by his family and friends. He was predeceased by his wife in 2002 and his son in 2019. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law Katherine and Richard Sullivan of Arlington, Virginia, his daughter-in-law Margret Brant of Strasburg, Colorado, three grandchildren, James Sullivan of Arlington, Virginia, Richard Sullivan of Aldie, Virginia, Marion Walsh of Austin, Texas and seven great grandchildren. Burial will be at Arlington Cemetery. Times for burial and services will be announced later.