Brandon Lee Tusant

Today, we celebrate the life and testimony of Brandon Lee Tusant who completed his journey to heaven into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 24, 2025, at 4:32 pm. Brandon began his life journey on January 8, 1980, in Anaheim, California. It became immediately obvious when Brandon was born with Spina Bifida he would face many challenges in life that would demonstrate the power of God to all who would come to know and love him.

As parents, we were told by doctors that he had a fifty-fifty chance to walk, and most likely would not live past the age of 7 – 14 years. These doctors had no idea of who Brandon would become and the tremendous source of his strength would be. Brandon not only walked, but he would ride a bike, ride a skateboard and he would roller blade in street hockey games with his brother Chris and the neighborhood friends.

A great deal of Brandon’s journey would involve medical issues that would stop most of us in our tracks and believe that we could not move forward. Even when medical problems and difficulties would come his way, he trusted Jesus to get him through them. Brandon gave his life to Jesus Christ at a very early age. He had witnessed the power of God in his life repeatedly.

One of Brandon’s favorite activities was to go to the Sierras and go camping and fishing at Rock Creek near Lake Crowley. He went on hikes on part of the John Muir trail at elevations above 10,000 feet. He would go up and down streams or troll in a fishing boat on Rock Creek and June Lakes. We started our trips camping in a 8x9 tent and we slowly graduated to trailers each year that we would rent until we finally bought our own.

One of his other favorite activities was attending Angels Baseball games. March of 2008, we put together a trip to Tempe, Arizona to go to spring training. Brandon, his brother Chris, and Pop, (his father Joe) who went on this inaugural trip. This trip was one the highlight of his life and we decided to make it a yearly thing. The next year we added Chuck, Ron, Phil and Vesty. Each and every year after this first trip, the number grew. This group would become part of the “FFB” (Family Friends and Brotherhood). The final trip would be in 2017. All the guys included Brandon as just one of the guys and these became his buds.

Another segment of Brandon’s life was his relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Brandon could not wait to go to church each Sunday to see his Christian family and friends. Anyone who would come to know Brandon became aware quickly that he never met a stranger.

Brandon would come to be a youth leader in his church no matter where he went, and would enjoy seeing those under his care come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to establish a relationship with The Lord. As a youth leader Brandon was a testimony to all he met even to this day. His favorite to teach was on the life of Samson. Brandon continued his Christian service running the soundboard at church. He took a special seminar on running church sound so he could become proficient at it. He would sometimes get frustrated with people who would blame him for feedback or other issues that were out of his control. He’d say to them, if you want a miracle, go see Jesus. I am just the sound guy.

Brandon has always looked up to his brother Chris. Chris over the years always had Brandon’s back. Anyone who knew Brandon was aware he thought he was larger than life sometimes and would say things that would get him into awkward situations. Chris would come to his rescue many times. When Chris became a police officer Brandon was so very proud of him. He would always talk about his brother to friends, family and almost anyone who would listen. He said that Chris was his hero. Yet Chris was always amazed at how Brandon would endure over 100 surgeries in his lifetime and say of Brandon, he’s, my hero. They are both true hero’s indeed.

The last battle in Brandon’s life was his last earthly battle. On Christmas Day, he was admitted to Loma Linda Hospital in Murrieta with a flesh devouring bacterial that had gotten into a pressure would. He would later be transferred to Loma Linda main campus hospital. After numerous surgeries that never seemed to better his situation, Brandon said, “Pop, I need you to be honest with me, am I going to die.” He then said, “I’m not afraid to die, I just want to know.”

I told him, “we are all going to die one day. However, if you are still in the fight then we are all right here with you. But if you are ready to go, we’ll surely miss you.” He continued to fight.

He was transferred to Kindred Hospital in Rancho Cucamonga which specialized in acute wound care. It was here that Brandon asked of his Brother Chris, “Am I going to die?” Chris told him “well, one of us is going to one of our funerals, we all will die”. This was the second time he had asked the question. But Brandon added this time, “I can’t even sit up on my own and this is not how I want to live the rest of my life.” It was a few days later and Brandon lost consciousness and the ability to respond to anything. And on February 24, 2025, at 4:32 pm Brandons last breath on earth happened and his first breath in heaven began. It was that day we are sure he heard the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Today as we celebrate Brandon’s life, we know that no matter how Brandon touched our lives, he truly reached into our souls. Brandon leaves behind his Mom, Anne Tusant, his father, Joe Tusant, his brother Christ Tusant, his sister in law April Tusant, his nieces Kylie and Reece Tusant, his aunt Jean Cahir, his uncle Fred Cahir, his aunt Sandra Tusant, his cousin Tabetha and Jordan Tusant, cousin Richard Tusant, Jessica and Nicholas Tusant, Don & Hazel Grohowski, Jen, Mike & Mason Kammerer, Jim & Karen Vita, Kerry, Bret & Sydney Blotzer, Grace Bible Church family and many friends.

Brandon’s last wish would be to be re-united with him in heaven where we can all continue our relationship as one big family worshipping his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Brandon, your mother and I will miss your spirit being with us here for the rest of our days. We will smile at the memories you made for us all. You will remain in our hearts until we see you again. We love you son.