Harold Brandon

ASHEVILLE Harold Jennings Brandon, 84, passed away Thursday, December 10, 2009 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center. A native of Tobaccoport, TN, he had resided in Asheville for the past 20 years. He was a lifetime member of V.F.W. He retired from the USAF having served in three wars, was one of twelve survivors from a company of 150 at the Hurtgen Forrest as a member of the 28th US Army Division during WWII which suffered 14,000 casualties during this battle and later defended American Forces at the Battle of the Bulge. His WWII service was followed by service during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Mr. Brandon was the son of the late Robert Love Bob Brandon and Beulah Lee Roberts Brandon and husband of the late Pearl Hamlin Brandon. He was also preceded in death by his grandson, William Bill Placko and brothers, Gilbert, Finis & Robert Brandon, Jr. Surviving are his long time companion, Wilma Gentry of Asheville; daughter-in-law, Frances Hamlin of Myrtle Beach, SC; grandchildren, Lynda Brittain, Ruth Ricci & Greg Hamlin; great grandchildren, Jon Placko & Neil Remlinger; great-great grandchildren, Sydney, Natalie, Lily and Luke; sister, Margaret Shelton of Birmingham, AL; nieces, Rebecca Ruff, Deborah Lewis & Marianna Nolen; nephews, Jack Brandon, Larry Brandon & Robert Brandon, III. Funeral services will be held 2 P.M. Thursday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home. The family will receive friends immediately following the services at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held 2 P.M. Tuesday, January 5, 2010 in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.