Jeff B. Brandt

Jeff Barton Brandt, 45, died Wednesday, July 8, 2010, in Grapevine. Funeral: Jeff will be cremated and his ashes strewn over the ocean he loved. A private family service will be held. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jeff's name to the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, P.O. Box 1682 Grand Lake, Colo. 80447 or to a charity of your choice. Jeff was born in Grand Island, Neb., Nov. 8, 1964, to Susan Sidell and Roger Brandt and in his very early life developed an affinity for the ocean and sailing. He graduated from Grapevine High School in 1983 and received his degree from Texas Christian University in 1988 after which time he worked in the pharmaceutical industry. Subsequent to that he moved to Onancock, Va., where he worked in the restaurant business and owned a home maintenance company. It was during this time living on the shores of Chesapeake Bay that his love of the ocean grew and sailing became his passion. He returned to Colleyville in 2004 and was employed by Wal-Mart until his death. He was a loving son, brother, uncle, cousin, devoted friend and rescuer of animals in need. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Jesse Oakland Sidell, Louise and Del Brandt and Jim Stroman; and by a cousin, Christopher Gary Brandt. Survivors: Left to mourn his loss but cherish the twinkle in his eye, his wry smile, his unmatched sense of humor, his intellect and knowledge of so many things, his empathy and compassion are his mother and father, Susan and Roger Brandt of Grand Lake, Colo.; his brother, Roger Brandt II of Haslet; nephew, Roger Brandt III of Amarillo; his grandmother, Connie Stroman of Grand Island, Neb.; cousins, Dr. Shanon Sidell of Hawaii and Susan Sidell of Houston; aunts and uncles, Joel Sidell and Dona Maloy of Brighton, Colo., Gary Brandt of Clearwater, Fla., Helen and Dick Brandt of Hot Springs, S.D., and Karin Hexberg/Heikkila of Volcano, Calif.