Obituary - Michael Dennis Brandon

Michael Dennis Brandon passed away August 29, 2023, at his home in Havre, Montana.

A funeral service will be held at Wilderness Funeral Homes, 500 Indiana St., Chinook, MT 59523, Sept. 2 at 1 p.m. followed by a burial at Chinook Cemetery. Viewing starts at 12 noon.

Mike was born June 6, 1953, in Havre, Montana, to Ray and Ruth (Thompson) Brandon. He attended Havre High School until the summer of 1970 when at the age of 17 he felt a call to serve in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany until 1972, and then came home and married his sweetheart, Shelley Nelson, November 1, 1972. They went on to have three children. Throughout his life, he had many jobs including welder, rig worker, truck driver and roofer, until he settled into his career with the United States Postal Service for many years, moving from positions of mail carrier to mail clerk, to supervisor of the Havre Post Office, then ultimately, he held the position of postmaster in Gildford, MT, until he retired in the mid-1990s.

He was an active member of the National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, National Foundation for Gun Rights, and the Second Amendment Foundation.

Anyone who knew Mike recognized him by his passions of hunting, fishing, camping, the outdoors, firearms, cars and coaching his sons in wrestling. His sense of humor was unparalleled, and he lived his life generously with love for his family and friends. Mike could do anything, it seemed, and, even if he had to go check out a book at the library, he would teach himself how to do it. Teaching himself all the way from working on cars, building his garage, working on home repairs to tying flies for fly fishing.

He was so proud of his grandchildren, especially. He would brag about them to anyone who would listen. He was a gift giver and enjoyed spoiling his daughter and wife and would many times be found finding a special gift for them or the kids. He held a special bond with both his boys and loved spending time hunting, fishing or just laughing and talking.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Ruth Brandon; brother Ronald Brandon; and son Tony Brandon.

He is survived by his wife, Shelley Brandon; son Jeremy Brandon; daughter and son-in-law, Tanya and James Winters; grandchildren, Taymee Brandon and Nicholas Restaino, Connor Gusick and Hanna Todd, Ashlynne Brandon, Taya Brandon and Jacob Brandon; two great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Stacey Schweigert; brothers Jack Brandon and Bob Brandon; brother and sister-in-law Donnie and Joann Nelson; brother-in-law Bob Turner; sister-in-law Jenny Ryder; and many nieces and nephews.