James Brandabur

Brandabur, James Francis (Jim). Born June 9, 1934. Died Saturday, March 28, 2015. Jim is survived by his wife, Judy; children Jack (Jackie), Michael (Lisa), Jamie, Patrick (Kristy), Marybeth, Amy (Bruce), Julie, and Mark; 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Also survived by his former wife Sallie, his brothers John aka Jack/Jonse (Mary) and Joseph (Margaret) Brandabur; and 15 nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, John J. and Genevieve O'Hara Brandabur, brothers Edward and John Joseph Brandabur. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home, Franklin, OH. A Funeral Mass is Friday, April 24, 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Franklin, OH. In lieu of flowers, the family asks a donation be made to one of the following: Saint Ignatius High School, www.ignatius.edu, Cleveland, OH; Greene County Parks and Trails, www.gcparkstrails.com, Xenia, OH; or National Brittany Rescue and Adoption Network, http://nbran.org/.

Jim was born in Cleveland, Ohio, raised in Huntington, West Virginia, and lived in Southern Ohio for much of his life. A proud alumnus of Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland (Class of 1952), where he was on the boxing team and in Glee Club; and Xavier University for his undergraduate degree (class of 1956). Jim spent a year at Georgetown Law School, until his parents discovered the real reason he was in Washington, DC was to join the FBI. He transferred to the University of Cincinnati Law School, graduating in the class of 1959.

Jim practiced law in many areas, first in the tax department at General Motors, then criminal defense at Cox and Brandabur in Xenia, Ohio. After co-founding Brandabur, Campbell, Finlay, Johnson, McCormick, Weckstein and Beard, he switched to probate and estate work. Practicing in a farm town, Jim occasionally took livestock or produce as payment from clients.

He became of-counsel at Brandabur and Bowling, his nephew, Michael Brandabur's firm, in Hamilton, Ohio. He remained there until his death.

Jim was a lifelong outdoorsman, spending as much time as he could hunting, fishing, hiking, and golfing. Jim took great joy in sharing his love of the outdoors with his sons and daughters, patiently teaching them how to hunt, fish, and hike, frequently at their family cabin in Adams County, but also in his favorite Ohio Brush Creek, Caesars Creek, and a few long trips to Canada. He loved to garden and loved winning blue ribbons for his produce at the Greene County Fair.

In recent years, Jim opted for more leisurely golf trips with Judy and many good friends from their Springboro community.

Influenced by his Jesuit education, Jim served his communities generously with his time and expertise. He co-founded Greene County Parks, serving as Park Commissioner for 25 years; founded the Xenia Optimist Club, serving as board member and president; was board member and president of the Greene County YMCA; member of the board of directors of Xenia National Bank (now Key Bank); past president of the Greene County Bar Association; served as Chairman of the Greene County Law Library; and until his death, secretary of the Sir Edwards Glen Homeowners Association. He was also a past member of the Ohio Farm Bureau, and a Kentucky Colonel.

Jim will be remembered for his charm and quick wit; his lack of pretense; his love of walking quietly in the woods; his devotion to his beloved Brittanys (Megan, Brandi, and Daisy); for treating everyone he encountered with kindness, respect, and humor--from clients and friends to farmers and federal judges; and for his dedication to his family.