Isaac Leon Brandon

A native son of South Carolina, born in Filbert and raised in York, Leon was the sixth of seven children to Isaac Lonnie Brandon and Lillian Emily Robinson.

As the story goes, Leon started his education early by tagging along with his older sisters before he was even officially enrolled in school…a benefit of a rural close-knit community with a modest small schoolhouse. His education path led him to graduate from York High School, then Clemson College/University (BS and MS) and eventually to Ohio State University (PhD). Career steps took him through Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Darlington, South Carolina, where he would meet his eventual wife Marie before they headed out to Southern California. After a while, they moved their young family back east to Virginia to be closer to their roots. Leon worked most of his long career as a ceramic engineer at Maida Development Company in Hampton, Virginia, contributing to the success of the company as well as positively impacting so many coworkers he also counted as friends.

His education and sharp mind made him great at his job. His wit, wry humor, sincerity and genuine personality made him great at life and interacting with family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and those he only knew briefly or met in passing.

Leon worked hard to provide for his family and set his sons up for their own success by ensuring they each obtained a solid education. As a father he taught life lessons by example not by lecture. He set expectations but gave leeway to choose how to succeed. He was always supportive both in achievements and setbacks.

Family vacations over the years gave great enjoyment to Leon. Reading, completing crossword puzzles from the newspaper, staying up on current events, walking, savoring a well prepared plate of huevos rancheros and appreciating a good old movie particularly westerns, no matter how many times he had watched it before, were some of his pastimes. For a time, sharing a pack of “nabs” and then a nap with his Great Dane buddy Clara Belle just couldn’t be beat. Leon was an avid tinkerer and organizer, often repurposing easily discarded items to give them new life.

A loved and loving son, brother and uncle, Leon was preceded in death by his parents as well as his brother William (“Bill”) Brandon and wife Dorris, sister Alice Carroll and husband Luther (“Luke”), sister Margaret Norman and husband Robert (“Bobby”), brother Allan Brandon, sister Lillian (“Sis”) Dinklage and husband Kenneth (“Ken”), his nieces Billie Howell and Barbara Norman and his grandnephew William Howell.

Over the years, Uncle Leon became a beloved figure to many on Marie’s side of the family including Kim, Tiffany, Terry, Robert and Deana.

A devoted husband, loving father and proud grandfather, Leon is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Marie, and his two sons; David and wife Allison and Jason and wife Panida with their son Jacob. He is also survived by his sister Susan Brandon-Adkins and numerous nieces and nephews; James (“Jimmy”) Carroll, Margaret Catherine (“Cathy”) Norman, Lydie (“Lydia”) Corey, Margaret Lorraine (“Lori”) Crenshaw, Jennifer Brandon, Rebecca (“Bec”) Brandon, Brandon Hebert and Joshua Dinklage as well as grandnieces and grandnephews.

The family sincerely appreciates the outpouring of loving sentiments and kind words already received. The expressions of support and offers of help are all taken to heart and mean a lot in this difficult time.

A visitation is planned for Friday, March 13, from 11:00AM-1:00PM with Leon being laid to rest at 3:00PM at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home (2551 N Armistead Ave, Hampton, VA 23666).

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in his memory.