John R. Brantley Jr.

Born September 17, 1924 in Charlotte, NC, he was the son of John Randolph Brantley, Sr., and Ada Thomas Brantley. Mr. Brantley graduated from R. J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, NC. After serving as a Navy pilot in the South Pacific in WWII, he earned a Business Degree from the University of Maryland.

After working in the construction equipment industry, he started his own company, Southland Equipment Company in 1957 in Charlotte, NC. He later expanded the business to include Southland Rental and Supply Company in Fayetteville, NC and Vermeer Carolinas. He used his experience flying for his business and for many vacations which mostly involved sailing and fishing. After retiring, he raised and showed Arabian horses.

John was a member of Harrison United Methodist Church of Pineville, where he served in many capacities, including the Building Committee during which time the sanctuary burned and he was instrumental in the building of the new sanctuary.

He married Daphne Bazemore on February 21, 1945 and they spent 57 years together. He is survived by his son John R. "Chip" Brantley, III and wife Barbara Brantley of Lexington, SC: daughter, Joyce B. Crane and husband Sid Crane of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, John R. Brantley, IV, Jason Crane, Leisha Crane Smith, and Emily Crane and Great-grandchildren, McKenna Smith, Beckham Smith, Kyla Crane, Holden Crane and Ava Crane.

He was preceded in death by his wife Daphne Brantley and his sister, Gloria Brantley Bennett.

A graveside service will be held at Harrison United Methodist Church, 15008 Lancaster Hwy., Pineville, NC 28134 at 11 am on Saturday, April 2, 2022. The family will receive friends following the service at his home afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, please consider the Humane Society of Charlotte

www.HumaneSocietyofCharlotte.org

or Hospice & Palliative Care, Charlotte Region at www.hpccr.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com for the Brantley family.