On Jan. 31, 2021, Russell James Brand, 96 and 11 months old, passed from this earth. He was born the son of John Tackberry Brand and Lena Lough Brand on Feb. 18, 1924, in Laurel Point, near Sugar Grove Road.
His first American ancestor and namesake, James Brand, arrived in Monongalia County, Va., in 1789. His father, John T. Brand, was one of eight children. His mother, Lena Lough, was of Scotch-Irish and Pennsylvania German stock and also from a pioneer family of Grant District. His forbears were members of the Continental Line during the War of Independence.
Russell was born the youngest of three boys, with one younger sister. His father was a successful farmer, as was his grandfather. Russell was a member of the sixth Brand generation to live along Flaggy Meadow (Dents) Run in Grant District of Monongalia County.
Russell’s boyhood spent on the farm during his early life would be described as only “the short and simple annals” of a normal youth in an American agricultural community. He graduated from University High School in the summer of 1941. It was there that he met his future wife, Virginia Helen Lanham. Many times he recounted to his children the exact location and details of the moment their eyes met.
At West Virginia University, he quickly demurred to the requirement to learn farming, and enlisted in the Army Air Corp. in December 1942. Through his commitment to excellence in all his endeavors, and natural ability to communicate, he was chosen, as a private, to become a Gunnery instructor — training subsequent enlistees in firing the .50 caliber Browning machine gun. His natural love and ability with understanding mechanical processes led to his admittance into the Army Air Force Flight Engineering School, where, upon completion, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.
His orders for overseas deployment in the China Burma India theatre as a B-29 Flight Engineer were abruptly recalled, shortly after the Japanese surrender in August 1945.
Before his military discharge, he returned on leave to Morgantown and married Virginia in October 1945. His remaining Army Air Corp. service was spent waiting on the orderly discharge from service, along with tens of thousands of other members of that greatest generation, and his discharge was Dec. 14, 1945.
Russell and Virginia then returned from Texas, and lived and cared for Virginia’s mother, Vanna Stutler Lanham, on West Run Road, until her death.
In 1950, the young couple and their first son moved to the Pierpont Road property, where they built their house and raised their three children.
Russell was employed with the C&P Telephone Company from 1948-1986, first as a lineman then as a central office technician.
He enjoyed his retirement by following his lifelong passion of aviation by earning his pilot license and owning his own airplane. He also owned a saw sharpening business and was a locksmith.
He was a kind and gentle soul, always loving his wife and family.
Russell is survived by his son, Mark Lanham Brand and his wife Sue, of Charleston, and by his daughter, Susan Dawn Brand, of Morgantown. Also surviving are grandchildren, Trisha Lehman Maxfield (Randy), of Massachusetts, Sarah Brand Yokum (Steve), of Morgantown, Jenna Michelle Brand and Christian Michael Brand (Sarah), both of Charleston. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Timothy Martin Eikenberry, Aubriana Marie Eikenberry, Nathan Charles Yokum and Leo Lanham Brand.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents; his three siblings, Rex, Roy and Rosina; his wife, Virginia; and his eldest son, Martin Thomas Brand.
Fred L. Jenkins has been entrusted with cremation.
“Life’s evening sun is sinking low,
A few more days and I must go –
To meet the deeds that I have done,
Where there will be no more setting sun.”
—A Beautiful Life, Nick Fradiani
Condolences:
www.fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com
