Willie J. "James" Brannon passed on to be with the Lord Jesus on September 26, 2014. He was born in Gary, Texas on February 21, 1923 to parents Joseph and Claudia Brannon. James was the third of five siblings, and all but one have preceded him in death. From about the age of 6, he was raised by his half-brother, Jameston and Emma Brannon of Gary, Texas. He also had ten other half-siblings from his father's first marriage. His direct siblings who preceded him are Katherine Craig of San Antonio, Andrew Jackson Brannon of New Orleans, and Claudia Jo (Buja) Stamper of Shreveport. He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy and foster brother, J.R. Brannon of Carthage.

Mr. Brannon is survived by his sister, Martha Ellen Brannon, who lives in Red Oak, Texas and his son, Gary, of Shreveport as well as several nieces and nephews.

James enlisted in the Air Force and served in two wars, WWII and the Korean War. In between wars, James served as Assistant Police Chief of Carthage Texas from 1949-51. In 1951, he married Dorothy Pearl Chadwick of Longbranch Texas. He attended college at Stephen F. Austin and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1957. James and Dorothy adopted their son at birth, Gary James Brannon, on September 11, 1958. In 1961, he moved his family to Shreveport, and worked as an accountant, book keeper, and office manager for Southern Steel, Yellow Cab Co., Mosher Steel, Trinity Industries, and FabSteel. After retiring from FabSteel, James started raising cattle in Gary, Texas and carried on with that until the mid-eighties.

James was a Godly and reverent man and very active in the church, serving as a Deacon at First Baptist Church in Carthage and then at Rose Park Baptist Church in Shreveport. At Rose Park, he was also assistant Treasurer and then Treasurer until the late nineties. James and Dorothy opened their home to visiting clergy and frequently hosted holiday dinner parties at their house. They would always invite new church members to visit for coffee after Sunday night services. He was also fond of attending revival services along with his pastor and frequently would travel with him to different churches in the area.

James was a 32nd degree Mason and lifetime member of Liberty Lodge 123 in Keatchie, Louisiana. He was also Past Watchman of Shepherds at White Shrine of Jerusalem in Shreveport. He was also Past Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star as well as a member of the Odd Fellows chapter in Carthage.

Visitation for family and friends will be at Osborn Funeral Home in Shreveport from 5 until 7 pm on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 and a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2014, at Rose Park Baptist Church with Reverend B. J. "Rocky" Maddox officiating. Internment will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Carthage, Texas. Pallbearers will be the Deacons of Rose Park Baptist Church.

Local arrangements are by Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.