Nelson Branon

February 18, 1934- July 9, 2020

Lt. Col. Nelson Branon, age 86, a Colorado Springs resident since 1968, died on July 9th, 2020. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Nelson was born in a two-room shack on a cotton farm 10 miles West of Jackson, Louisiana to the parents of John and Sadie M. (Chris) Branon, delivered by his maternal grandmother, Dinah Chris, on 18 February 1934. By the grace of God, Nelson was able to attend John Dawson High School (the first high school established in the Parish (County) for African-Americans) that opened in September 1949, from which he graduated along with 19 other students in 1953. After graduation, he entered Southern University on the Accelerated Program and graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate (Army: ROTC) with a BS Degree in Secondary Education in January 1957.

Lt. Col. Branon served on active duty in the United States Army Air Defense Artillery, from March 1957

Until July 1977, including two tours, each in Vietnam and Korea. He commanded Missile Batteries in

Connecticut and West Germany, and commanded of the Eight Army Missile Firing Range in Korea in

1974-75. His staff assignments included Logistics Staff Officer (G-4), Army Air Defense Command

(ARADCOM), Colorado Springs; Logistics Staff Officer (J4), Military Assistance Command Vietnam

(MACV); Plans Staff Officer (J-5), North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and final

Assignment as Chief, Space & Missile Defense Division (J-3), NORAD, Colorado Springs, 1975-77 - Lt Col Branon was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations including Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal w/ three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

After retirement from the Army in 1977, Nelson accepted a position with the State of Colorado as a Nuclear Civil Protection Planner until January 1979, when he began a second career in Federal Civil Service with the Corps of Engineers in Forth Worth District, as Emergency Operations Manager and Security Officer. He later served with several other Federal Agencies, including Special Deputy United States Marshal, culminating in a position as a Program Manager (GM-15), (the highest competitive grade in Federal Civil Service)) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with final duty station in Maynard, Massachusetts. After retiring from federal Civil Service, Nelson enjoyed substitute-teaching in secondary education (primarily at Wasson High School) for several years.

Jesus Christ was Nelson's Lord and Savior; he was baptized at, and became a member of Pleasant Green Baptist Church in Jackson, Louisiana in 1945. He loved reading the Bible and listening to the "Word". He served for many years as an usher at Peterson Air Force Base Chapel, and later attended church services regularly at First Presbyterian Church, before becoming a regular attendee at the Calvary Worship Center, both of Colorado Springs. Nelson enjoyed going to the gym, weight lifting, warm water fishing, and small game hunting. He found the most joy and pleasure visiting with his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

Lt. Col. Branon is survived by his beloved wife lda Delores (McCoy) Branon, their three sons: Gregory

(Ramona) of Las Vegas, Nevada; Nelson Jr. (Helen Persons), and John (Laura), both of Colorado Springs. He is also survived by two brothers: Allen (Ola) of Prattville, AL and Percy (Gail) of New Orleans, LA. Nelson's love and affection will be greatly missed by his six grandchildren: Gabrielle, Danielle and Austin all of Las Vegas, NV; Tyra, Isaac and Ava of Colorado Springs; his five great-grandchildren: Charlize, Mikal, Aaniyah-Rae, Noah and Grayson, Gaebrel and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Nelson was preceded in death by his parents John and Sadie (Chris) Branon of Jackson, LA; sisters Bertha and Jessie, and brother Willie James, all of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. And great-grandson Daévon of Las Vegas.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 20th, 8:30am-10:00am with memorial service starting at 10:00am, at Swan Law Funeral Directors, 501 N. Cascade Ave.

Following the memorial service, a small committal service will be held at Pikes Peak National Cemetery with military honors. A private reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mayo Clinic of Scottsdale, AZ., or the Calvary Worship Center, 501 Castle Rd Colorado Springs, CO 80904.