James Lee Brandon

A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Jim Brandon went to be home with The Lord on November 23, 2025, after a brief bout with pneumonia. He was born on August 29, 1947, in Harvey, Illinois to Charles and Clersa Brandon and was the youngest of ten siblings. He graduated from Thornton Township High School in 1965. A life-long salesman, Jim Brandon sold everything, from cars and factory supplies to bullet-proof glass. He married fellow Thornton graduate Linda Reusnow in 1969. They had two sons, James and Kevin. Jim and Linda raised their boys in the south suburbs of Chicago, with residences in Mount Prospect, Lynwood, and Homewood before settling in their longtime home in Lansing, Illinois. Upon retirement, they built a home in Cedar Lake, Indiana, where they lived for a decade before relocating to Jonesville, Michigan to be near their grandchildren, and after a few years as “snowbirds” they stopped visiting and moved down to Chandler, Arizona, where they have resided full-time since 2016.

Jim appreciated spending time with his family. He also loved to sing and was a regular presence in front of church services and at karaoke. He enjoyed reading, particularly biographies, and constantly re-watching his favorite movies, and especially The Godfather. He and Linda liked to travel, and in addition to their regular sojourns to Michigan, they spent many years in Florida. Jim was also an avid golfer, tearing up the courses in the valley of the sun with his lifelong friend Ron Hinz. And he continued to follow Chicago sports throughout his life, in particular, he shared a love of the Chicago Cubs with his close family and was a regular at spring training games.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, eight of his siblings, and his son Kevin. Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda (Chandler, AZ); his son James and daughter-in-law Wendi (Tippner) Brandon (Hillsdale, MI); his three grandchildren Jacob (Mesa, AZ), Miranda, (Horton, MI) and Ariel (Hillsdale, MI) and dozens of nieces, nephews and extended family. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and friendship.

The family has already hosted a small memorial service in Chandler, and a celebration of life is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Fagen-Miller Funeral Home, 1920 Hart Street, Dyer, IN 46311. Visitation is from 2-6 p.m., with a brief service at 6 p.m. His ashes will eventually be interred in Illinois.

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