Charles Edward Brannan Sr. (“Chuck”), 79, of Oak Harbor, Washington, entered into glory on Friday, July 12, 2024 after an extended illness.
Chuck was born on September 3, 1944 in Hernando County Hospital in Brooksville, Florida. He lived on West Fort Dade Avenue until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1963. After Chuck was graduated from Hernando High School in 1962 he attended St. Petersburg Junior College for one year. After that year he decided he was wasting his time and his mother’s money, so instead of returning to school he joined the U.S. Navy.
While in the Navy Chuck was stationed in Memphis, TN (for schooling); NAS Whidbey Island, WA; NAS Cubi Point, Republic of the Philippines; NWS Fallbrook, CA. After these duty stations he returned to NAS Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, WA where he remained until he retired on September 1, 1993.
In 1966, Chuck met Leona Heller of Oak Harbor and they married on October 15, 1966.Their first son, Chuck Jr., was born in 1969 while stationed in the Philippines. Their second son, Rick, was born while stationed in Memphis, TN in 1971. Chuck wrote the following about his time in the Navy:
While in the Navy I was fortunate to see quite a lot of our wonderful world. I spent much of my time on aircraft carriers, deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. I visited ports such as the following: Hong Kong; Singapore; Columbia, Sri Lanka; Mombasa, Kenya; Perth, Western Australia; Subic Bay and Manilla, Republic of the Philippines; Pattaya Beach, Thailand; Naples, Italy; Sigonella, Sicily; and Rota, Spain.
My first 15 years in the Navy were spent as an enlisted man. I held all the enlisted ranks from E-1 through E-9. In 1979 I was selected as an Aviation Maintenance Limited Duty Officer(Mustang) and was commissioned as an Ensign. I attained the permanent rank of Lieutenant Commander (Major for you Army/Air Force guys). I was very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. I thoroughly enjoyed serving our country for thirty years.
Chuck retired from the U.S. Navy on September 1, 1993, after concluding that 30 years was enough time to work. He and Leona (who battled and survived breast cancer in 1995–1996) decided there were a great many things that they wanted to experience together, so in 1997 Leona retired from the U.S. Civil Service. They embarked on a nine-month trip, logging 25,000 miles through 42 of the 48 continental states in their 33-foot fifth-wheel trailer.They visited Alaska twice, once for six weeks and once for 10 weeks, and visited from south of Ketchikan to north of the Arctic Circle. They have embarked on various cruises, from Mexico, through the Panama Canal and South America, as well as a cruise through the rivers of the Netherlands and Belgium.
Chuck was a member of the Oak Harbor Lions Club for over a decade, during which he also served as president for multiple terms.
Chuck and Leona spent their winters in a suburb of Phoenix, AZ with friends where Chuck loved to play golf and catch Seattle Mariners Spring Training.
Chuck is survived by his wife Leona, his son Chuck Jr. and his wife Barbara, his son Rick and his wife Amy, their three children Ella (17), Lucas (11), and Josiah (7). Chuck was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister, and two brothers.
A memorial service was held on Friday, July 19, 2024 at First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor, WA.
