Jim Brandon passed away on 24 December. As many of you know, he had battled colon cancer for many years, then kidney failure and, recently, prostate cancer. The message passed to me said that his life support was disconnected and he passed away. Bittersweet news: he has passed but he is no longer suffering.

I don't have contact information for his family or info on his wishes for any rememberances.

This is sad news, indeed. We did not know Jim well, but the times we were together with him were fascinating and most enjoyable. Truly a fascinating and well-rounded, well loved man. I am glad he is no longer suffering but I also know he will be truly missed by those close to him and even those who passed through his life briefly. Carole

Glen,

Thanks for posting this. I had last exchanged e-mails with Jim just over a month ago, and he mentioned then that he had 3 more surgical procedures scheduled over the coming months. Very sad to hear of his passing, but as you said, he's no longer suffering.

Jim was a great teacher, in particular in the area of underwater photography. Some of you may remember him as the resident photo pro at Sand Dollar Dive & Photo back when it used to be on the pier behind Sand Dollar (pre-Lenny waves).

Jim taught me an awful lot about wide angle photography underwater, as well as various other aspects of UW photography. In addition to being talented, he was also a very warm and gentle human being, and Linda and I will miss him.

Jake

Bill Gleason was my source; he will tell me what arrangements are made by Jim's sisters and I will post them here.

Thank, again, Glen. cb

My sympathy goes out to Jim's family and friends. I know he will be sadly missed.

Thanks for passing along the news...Jim was great, always had a smile and eagerness to help when we stayed at Sandollar. He was the one who encouraged Steve to take up Photography. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends, I know they must be many...

Does anyone have a picture of Jim?

When it came to underwater photography, Jim was the consumate professional. He was also one of he best persons I have ever met. He loved the ocean, it's inhabitants and revelled in being able to share visions of the underwater world to those who would not have otherwise had the vision to see them as he did...as truly beautiful and miraculous inhabitants of our water planet. Jim never forced his vision on anyone, he was always open to new ideas, other visions and always was happy to listen to others and their ideas of U/W Photography as well as life.

Jim never criticized anyones work or belittled a single person for their ineptness in taking underwater images. He always saw the best in everyone that he met or came in contact with...he never competed with anyone...because he didn't have to.

We had many conversations together and after each one I took away more knowledge in photography than any source plus I just felt good after talking with Jim...in my eyes, he was one of the best...in photography and in life.

Jim, you will be sorely missed by those of us who knew and loved you, but your images, your vision, your love of life, people, the ocean and the underwater world will live on forever.

First met Jim in the late 80's at Sanddollar. Loved to go to his photo shows. Think that his favorite saying was " Slow down, if you are not seeing these critters you are going to fast." He will be missed.

Jake,,,is there any way to get a picture of Jim?

Meryl, and all,

I am working on the pic. Will email Julie Morgan, JB's successor as SDD&P pro and Frank Fennell, leader of the Nikon Shootouts.

Thanks, Glen. I don't have any pics of the time we spend with Jim, unfortunately. Carole

Here are two pictures of Jim Brandon from Julie Morgan. Julie worked with Jim at SDD&P and took over there when Jim was forced to go to FL by his need for dialysis.

The first picture is of Jim and his water dog Martha on the center dock ladder at SDD&P. The second is of Jim's sister Pat, Jim and Jim'd Senegal parrot Julie in FL.

Thanks, Glen. Carole

Thank you for the pictures...I searched the island but did not find any...and I was suprised that the Bonaire reporter did not do an article on Jim....

Good point, Meryl. Wonder if they know??

Actually, there was a short paragraph in the Dec. 30th issue noting his passing near their press time; they did not follow up as promised. Hope they will.

The Bonaire Reporter tells me there will be an article in the coming issue. They were waiting for contact with Jim's family.

I have received an email from Jim's sister, Mary. This is the full test of the mail:

Dear BonaireTalk users,
Thank you for your kind words about my brother, Jim Brandon. They are a comfort to our whole family. I am Mary Rummele, the sister from Wisconsin. Jim's other sister, Pat, from Colorado and Jim's brother Mike from Florida will be grateful for your thoughts as is our
daughter, Margo, who was staying with Jim while she taught English at Rhyva Institute 9 years ago. She forwarded your website to me.
Jim thought about Bonaire all the while he lived in Florida. His fondest wish was to return to Bonaire and his friends there and to dive Bari Reef again. Sadly, his kidney problems continued to become more and more difficult and, because of his recent history of cancer he was never eligible for a transplant. The medications to supress the immune system to prevent the body from rejecting a transplant allow cancer to grow unchecked. It is a no win situation. After Jim successfully fought bowel cancer for so many years, he developed bladder cancer. It spread rapidly and that, added to the kidney failure, was too much. After three weeks in the hospital the extent of the cancer was diagnosed. That, in combination with the kidney failure was more than could be treated. Jim was not on life support this time and had great conversations with me, Mike and Pat just days before he died. The doctors took care of pain control and someone was by his side until he passed away on December 24th.
I will send you a copy of Jim's obituary which should be in the Bonaire papers soon. If you wish,I can let you know when we have a date picked for amemorial service in Bonaire planned for Jim. It will be sometime this summer.
Again, I thankyou for your words or rememberance. They are going in a book for us and his nieces and nephews.

Sincerely,
Mary Rummele

obituary for James Brandon





James Carl Brandon, age 58, passed away December 24th, 2003 at Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Weston, Florida after a long and courageous battle with kidney disease and cancer.



Jim was born May 18, 1945 in Rockville Center, New York to Chester Brandon and Mary Alice "Mae" Nolan Brandon. The family subsequently lived in La Canada, California and San Juan, Puerto Rico before settling in Washington D.C. where he graduated from Gonzaga College High School. He earned his undergraduate degree in finance at The University of Notre Dame and attended University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.



Jim joined D.C. National Bank as a trainee in 1969 and devoted his entire professional banking career to them as they grew to become Sovran Bank and later Nations Bank (now BankAmerica). In 1990, he took early retirement from his position as Executive Vice President and moved to Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, where he was a SCUBA dive instructor and photo pro at Sand Dollar Dive and Photo. From 1990 to 2000, Jim taught countless people an understanding and appreciation of the reef and it's creatures and a respect for the complex ecology that supports them.



He is survived by two sisters, Mary (John) Rummele of Sheboygan, Wisconsin and Patricia (Thomas)Walsh of Steamboat Springs, Colorado and one brother, Michael (Beverly) Brandon of Coral Springs, Florida. He is further survived by three nephews, four nieces, and two grand-nieces.



A memorial service will be held this summer in Bonaire.



Those wishing to honor his memory may contribute to the charity of their choice or to the memorial fund established in his name.



Condolences may be sent to Mary Rummele, 616 Mayflower Ave., Sheboygan, WI 53083, (jrummele@excel.net)