Hugh “Leon” Brannan, 91, of Troutville, passed away Monday, April 14, 2025.
Born May 23, 1933 to David Calvin Brannan, Sr. and Ruth Ammon Piner Brannan, he was one of seven children.
Leon was proud to be a lifelong resident of Botetourt County and graduated from Fincastle High School in 1950. Drafted into the Army in 1956, a favorite story was that, being called into formation the day before he was to ship out, being told the war had ended and remembering with a grin, “…they couldn’t hold us in formation!” He met his wife, Grace Marie Camper, at a VFW dance and they were married in 1958. The union resulted in five children, 12 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was honored to be the patriarch of 5 generations.
He worked at Creative Packaging/Eli Lilly/Elizabeth Arden for 30 years until retirement. Leon was an avid lover of the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, baseball and just riding the back roads of Botetourt County. Leon could play cards ’til the wee hours of the morning, chuckling as he took your last penny bet. He loved watching NASCAR, with his favorites being the Ford drivers. He had an affection for country, bluegrass and gospel music and also enjoyed playing the guitar and banjo, joining in on jam sessions with his older brother. Leon was fond of a good joke and poked fun at himself, saying he had “Old-Age-itis”.
He was preceded in death by wife of 47 years, Grace Camper; granddaughter, Brandy Lynn Fowler; sons-in-law, Mike Fowler and Rickey Kelley; brothers, David “Buck” and Edgar “Bo” Brannan; sisters, Rachel Sprinkle and Eloise Gray.
Leon is survived by son, Michael Brannan; daughters, Dianne Fowler, Karen Kelley, Elizabeth (Lynn) Simmons and Sally Ann (Michael) Hurt; grandchildren, Shannon, Amy/Ryan, Josh/Amon, Taylor/Dalton, Loudon/Patrick/Megan/William; great-grandchildren, Alexis/Logan, Elijah/Abigail, Erin/Carson/Oliver, and Emma/Silas; great-great-grandchildren, Joel/Za’riah; sisters, Bertha Mae Peters and Joyce Grubb; brothers-in-law, Lawrence, Paul “Doodle” and Larry (Helen) Camper; previous daughter-in-law, Debbie Ayers Brannan; special friend, Betty Bohon; and many beloved relatives and friends.
Special thanks to his in-home caregivers, Ruth Dudley, Kiara Simmons, Karen Lee, Will Dudley and Katie Riddle. We also express great appreciation to the staff at LewisGale Medical and Good Samaritan Hospice of the Roanoke Valley for caring for our Daddy.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2025 in the Buchanan Chapel of the Botetourt Funeral Home. Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, in the Buchanan Chapel with Pastor Don Goforth and Brother Byron Branham officiating. Interment will follow in Trinity Cemetery and a celebration of life reception immediately after.
Memorial gifts honoring Leon are heartfelt and meaningful. Donation suggestions are: Good Samaritan Hospice of the Roanoke Valley, http://www.goodsam.care, or Hunters for the Hungry, http://www.h4hungry.org. Online condolences may be made at www.botetourtfh.com or (540) 254-3000.
