James Ware Brandon, age 66 of Nottawa died Tuesday Oct. 29, 2013. He was born in Hartford City, IN on March 23, 1947 the son of George and Mary (Lightner) Brandon. He has been a member of the Nottawa Community the past 43 years and was the owner of Nottawa Gas Company. Jim had a ticker that counted the number of smiles he could create in a day. No prank was over the line and he was no one's fool. He was generous with conversation and spoke with anyone who would listen, always with a cup of coffee in hand. He loved his community of Nottawa and made a difference in the lives of many people, often offering help without question. He enjoyed telling tall tales, grilling, fireworks, traveling to exotic locations, listening to audio books, gardening, bird watching, fiddling with new gadgets, roller coasters, spoiling his grandchildren and of course his loyal Newfoundland dogs.

Jim grew up in Warren, Indiana and graduated from Salamonie High School in 1965. He served in the Indiana Air National Guard from 1966 to 1972 and was stationed in Biloxie, Mississippi for a time. He moved to Nottawa in 1971 and raised three children with his wife, Sheron (Tappy). In addition to operating the Nottawa Gas Company he was a continuous member of the Nottawa School Board for over 30 years. Later divorcing, he reconnected with childhood friend, Ann Peel and they were married in 1994. Together they traveled the world and enjoyed their short time together before her passing in 2008. He was also preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary (Lightner) Brandon.

Jim is survived by his brothers, George Edward (Carol) Brandon of Grayslake, IL, Paul (Janet) Brandon of Monticello, IL; daughter, Angela Brandon of Nottawa; sons Timothy (Michelle) Brandon of Longmont, CO and Adam (Kathleen) Brandon of Sturgis; step-daughters Kristin McCarver of Portage, MI, Megan (Darrin) Eichorn of Goshen, IN, Kendra (Chris) Collat of Herndon, VA; he leaves 11 grandchildren; 3 nieces; 2 nephews; and Teddy the Newfie.

A public memorial and open house will be held on Saturday Nov. 2, 2013 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Nottawa Community School. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be directed to either the Student Conservation Association (www.thesca.org) or to the Nottawa Community Schools.