R. Lamar Brannon

Richard Lamar Brannon, 76, died on August 23, 2013 in Dunwoody, Ga. He was born on June 10, 1937 in Atlanta, Ga. to Buell W. and Ollie Pirkle Brannon.
A native Atlantan, Lamar was graduated from Bass High School in Atlanta in 1955. After high school he attended college at the Georgia Institute of Technology for a year before transferring to Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned a B.A. in Medieval History in 1959. Following a year of teaching high school history in Hapeville, Ga., Lamar entered Emory University School of Law where he was awarded a Juris Doctor (J.D.). After working two years for the Sun Life Insurance Company in Montréal, Canada, he maintained a general law practice in Decatur until his retirement.
Lamar married the former Eleanor Louise Mayes in 1965 in Cartersville, Ga. They were happily married for 48 years. Lamar was a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Emory Alumni Association, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, and the Heritage Foundation. He was President of the Emory Law Case Club, served on the staff of the Emory Law Review, and competed in Emory's Moot Court. An accomplishment of which he was most proud, Lamar was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. He enjoyed listening to classical music and jazz. An avid reader, Lamar enjoyed great poetry, literature, and philosophy, and was always a student of history. Also an excellent writer, he valued accuracy and precision – and knowing the difference. He wrote a reflective family history article tracing the genealogy of his Brannon ancestors in America back to the 17th century, which was published in Forsyth County Heritage 1832-2011, (pp. 124-126, Don Mills, Pres. County Heritage, Inc., Walsworth Publishing Co., 2011). In his retirement, he could be found playing tennis or reading by the neighborhood pool. Dearly loved by his family, Lamar was a man of principle and integrity who was possessed of an impish charm, a sharp wit, and a kind and tender heart.
Lamar is survived by his wife Louise of Tucker, Ga.; his daughter, Leslie B. (Mrs. Scott D.) Frick of Lilburn, Ga., son, Jason J. Brannon of Stone Mountain, Ga.; and his cousin Morris (Carolyn Stone) McGinnis of Cumming, Ga.
Lamar was preceded in death by his parents, Buell W. and Ollie Pirkle Brannon.
As were his wishes, his body was cremated following a family viewing. A private memorial service service will be held for the immediate family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that those who wish may make donations in Lamar's memory to Beta Theta Pi Foundation, 5134 Bonham Road, PO Box 6277, Oxford, Ohio 45056 or www.betathetapi.org. Condolences may be left on A. S. Turner & Sons online guest book at www.asturner.com.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033