Robert David Brannen

Robert David Brannen, known as Bob to his family and friends, was born September 20, 1928 to Mildred Sonoma Welton and William Grover Brannen (married February 3, 1916 in Cleveland, OH and were later divorced) at Alhambra Hospital in Alhambra, California. He and his brother William Grover Brannen, Jr. (known as Bill) grew up at 2225 Naomi Avenue in Arcadia, California. He attended Longden Avenue Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson Junior High in East Pasadena until he enlisted in the US Navy. On October 19, 1945 his Mother had to sign to allow him to enlist into the Navy, he was only 16 years old. He served on the submarine the USS Blenny as a Gunner’s Mate Third Class. He was honorably discharged from the service at the end of World War II on September 16, 1949 and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and American Area Campaign Medal. Shortly after his discharge on October 27, 1949, his mother married his stepfather, Frank Paul Nyerges, known to all as Grandpa Frank.

After his discharge Bob lived in Monrovia, California with his friend Robert C. Mitchell. His other long time friends from that era included Dick Lindsey, Bookie (Bobby) Holms, Reid Greer, Dick Shaw, Jerry Williams, Larry Griggs and Roy Jirchefske. It was during this time that he attended school to work and train as a plumber. He soon changed career plans and began working as a roofer over the next couple years. It was around 1956 that Bob was hired as a Bus Driver for RTD.

In 1953 Bob met, Shirlee June Shaw (his friend Dick’s sister) at a boat race where he and Dick were racing an F-class hydroplane boat. Bob was the deck-rider. They eloped to Las Vegas on August 2, 1953 after a short courtship (Roy Jirchefske was his best man). They honeymooned for a week in Ensenada Mexico. The newlyweds lived in an apartment on Canyon Street in Monrovia and later moved to a house on Encinitas in Monrovia. Around 1954-55 they moved to Oceanside and lived for about 7 months in a 3 room “guest house” that was converted from a chicken coup. Next they moved to Sierra Madre and lived just down the street from Shirlee’s Mom & Dad on Highland Avenue. In early 1956, they purchased their first home at 2515 Lincoln Street in Duarte, CA where their first 3 children, Laura, Ron & Patrick, were born. In the late spring of 1962, Bob & Shirlee bought their second home at 5833 Forestdale Avenue in Glendora, CA, where their youngest daughter, Christine was born.

Bob worked for RTD until he was medically retired in 1973 or 1974, due to a back injury. In 1980 Bob & Shirlee separated and divorced. After his retirement, he worked at Arrow Archery from 1977 - 1982 for Tim Moyer. He and Tim were good friends for the rest of his life. In 1982 he started his own gardening business and it was around that time that he also worked for his friend, Scott Woodland at Woodward Archery in Arcadia, CA. This is where he met his long time friend, Mike Flynn. Mike was his archery hunting & shooting buddy for years to come. In fact, Bob was Mike’s best man at his & Lori’s wedding – they eventually all lived in the Blythe area and were very close. Bob considered Mike and Lori to be his extended family members. Joe Joe DeSousa Dias was also one of Bob’s close friends when he lived in the Blythe area. He spent many years working and hunting with Joe Joe.

In about the mid-1980’s Bob lived in an apartment building on Rosemead Boulevard in San Gabriel. It was while living there he met Judy Anderson. In about 1984 Bob moved to Cibola, AZ with his girlfriend, Judy. This was when he purchased his final home in Cibola, AZ in 1985, where he and Judy lived together until shortly before his death.

All his life, Bob was an avid hunter, fisherman, sportsman and gun collector. According to his brother, Bill, they even had their own guns and practiced their marksmanship in their childhood days. As an adult, he hunted for deer, with rifles and bows, later he hunted goats at Catalina Island with a bow. He loved to fish all his life and was a good fisherman. In his earlier years he rode motorcycles for pleasure, both hill climbing with his Bartoli motorcycle & riding street bikes with his friends. From about 1968-1972, he competed with his friend Dick Lindsey at quick draw and target shooting competitions with the Sheriff’s Department in Fresno, CA. Later while working at the archery shops, he competed in archery shoots and was awarded several trophies for marksmanship. He was also a very creative & artistic person, and a gifted wood worker. He made many carvings of animals and people. He also carved pistol grips & rifle stocks, and made beautiful wood chess boards and lamps out of driftwood. He also made holsters for pistols out of leather and a “peace-pipe” out of wood, leather and metal. He was truly talented in many ways.

Bob was a great father and enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors and wildlife with his children and their friends. He had four children, 2 daughters and 2 sons. His first born was a daughter, Laura Ann Brannen, born May 22, 1956 in Monrovia, California. His second child was a son, Ronald David Brannen, born August 10, 1957, also in Monrovia, California. His third child was also a son, Patrick Michael Brannen, born April 5, 1960, again in Monrovia, CA. His fourth and last child was a daughter, Christine Marie Brannen, born August 22, 1962, in Monrovia, CA. His first 3 children were born when he lived on Lincoln Avenue in Duarte, CA and his last child was born when he lived in his home in Glendora, CA. Bob taught all his kids to drive, camp, shoot, and hunt during the family’s many weekend outings and camping trips. He shared these experiences and activities with his kids and their best friends Eddie Pelczar, Ralph & David Wahl, Deena Mae Child, Robert Bernard, Debbie McNamara, Mark Nelson and Lee Thrasher, all of whom he considered to be his “adopted kids”.

Bob was also blessed to be a grandfather and great grandfather. He had 2 grandsons by Laura; they are Stephen Glenn McNaughten, Jr. (born October 20, 1975 in Fontana, CA) and Justin Wade McNaughten (born July 16, 1979). He also had 2 grandsons by Ron; they are Sean Brannen (born November 16, 1988) and Eric Brannen (born August 23, 1990). His only granddaughter is by Pat; she is Cassidy Brannen (born July 14, 1995). He also has 3 great-grandchildren by Stephen (Laura’s eldest son); they are Stephen Joseph McNaughten (born September 10, 2005), Jacob Anthony McNaughten (born November 5, 2006) and Norah Dawn McNaughten (born December 8, 2010).

On January 7th at 6:55 P.M., Bob passed away at the age of 85 years from complications of an auto accident that occurred in June 2013 in Blythe, CA. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends…