Carl Dyess Brannan

Carl Dyess Brannan, MD, age 102, of Tampa, FL, died peacefully in his home on January 15, 2025. Carl was born in Jackson, MS, on October 18, 1922, the second son of Anthony Netterville Brannan from Woodville, MS, and Sarah Amanda Dyess Brannan from Collins, MS. Carl attended Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. On May 15, 1946, he graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in the morning, and in the afternoon of that same day, he married Martha Vairin Witherspoon (Monk) of New Orleans. Carl served two years as a Medical Officer in the US Navy and completed his surgical training at Lloyd Noland Hospital (Birmingham, AL), the Lahey Clinic (Boston, MA), and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York City, NY).

In 1954, Carl, Monk, and their infant son returned to his hometown of Jackson, MS, where Carl started his practice of surgery and he and Monk had five more children. In 1962, he served as President of the medical staff at Mississippi Baptist Hospital in Jackson, and in 1968, Carl, along with Monk and their six children, moved to New Jersey so he could complete two additional years of cancer surgery training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In 1970, Carl and family moved to Tampa, where he practiced general and cancer surgery until his retirement on December 1, 1988. He served as Chairman of the Cancer Committee of St. Joseph’s Hospital from 1971-1988 and as President of the medical staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital from 1986-1988.

Carl was raised in the First Christian Church in Jackson, MS, and served as a Deacon and Elder. He was an active member of Hyde Park Presbyterian Church in Tampa, FL, from 1970 until his death and served as an Elder. In 1975, Carl and Monk served as co-chairs of the Adult Committee of Young Life in Tampa. He also served as a member of the Committee on Ministry of Tampa Bay Presbytery for one 3-year term and as an Elder Commissioner to the 206th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1994.

Carl was a member of Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, where he played golf and tennis. He was an avid reader, especially in retirement — he always “had a book going.” He considered his greatest accomplishment to be his and Monk’s six wonderful children and his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Carl enjoyed writing letters, and frequently sent articles of interest from the Wall Street Journal and the Tampa Tribune, along with a short letter, to his kids and grandkids. He said he practiced “the lost art of letter writing,” and it provided an opportunity to keep in touch with his kids. His wife Monk was the love of his life, and he gave her the credit for doing such a wonderful job of raising six kids.

Carl was predeceased by his wife of 75 years, Monk; his older brother Anthony N. Brannan, Jr., who died in 1943 in WWII; his son John B. Brannan; and his son-in-law Stephen B. Hatcher. He is survived by his three sons: Anthony (Tony) Brannan, MD (Jane) and Bill Brannan (Kathryn), both of Tampa, and Carl Brannan, Jr. (Beth), of Jackson, MS; two daughters, Rebecca (Becky) Brannan Hatcher and Vairin Brannan Tolley (Rob), both of Tampa; and daughter-in-law Kimberly (Kim) Brannan of Tampa. In addition, Carl is survived by 19 wonderful grandchildren: Tony Brannan, Jr. (Christina), Amanda Brannan Lazo (Chris), Andrew Brannan (Mallory), and Samuel Brannan (Briana); Nathan Hatcher (Katie) and Ben Hatcher (Melody); Rachel Brannan Purvis (Jason), Sarah Brannan, MD, Cealia Brannan Woolsey (Kevin), and Price Brannan (Jenny); John Brannan, Jr., Mark Brannan, and Laura Brannan Fretwell (Joe); Aubrey Tolley Wheeler (Sean), Austin Tolley, and Blake Tolley; Stuart Brannan, Henry Brannan, and Charles Brannan. Carl is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren, with one more due in April.

Carl’s family is especially grateful for all the caregivers from Home Instead, particularly Dianelys Alvarez. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 11:00 am at Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, 1309 W. Swann Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606. A reception will follow. Memorials may be made in Carl’s name to the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund or to Young Life of Tampa (P.O. Box 46416, Tampa, FL 33647).