Dr. Jon A. Brandt

Dr. Jon A. Brandt
Apex
Dr. Jon A. Brandt died unexpectedly in his home on Monday November 26, 2012. Jon was born September 10, 1947 to Alvina and the late Donald Brandt in Anna, OH. He loved his childhood on the farm, raising farm animals, participating in the State Fair with the 4H Club, and his year abroad in Sweden when he was in high school. He attended and received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Ohio State University where he was also a proud member and president of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, and went on to earn his PhD at the University of California-Davis. Jon served as an officer in the U.S. Army at the Pentagon during the Vietnam War.
Jon is survived by his two children, Melissa Brandt and her fiancé Ken Nelson and Ryan Brandt and his wife Laura. Jon was expecting to be a grandfather to his first grandchild, Ryan and Laura's son, in late March 2013 and would have walked his daughter Melissa down the aisle in May 2013. He was very excited about both of these things, as family was extremely important to him. Jon is survived by his mother Alvina, brother Jim and his family all of Anna, OH. He is also survived by his first wife and the mother of his children, Cinda Brandt and his second wife Jackie Brandt.
Jon lived a long full happy life, even though he was only 65. He loved his work, colleagues and students at NC State University in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. Jon is recognized as the longest active serving Department Head at the university, a position he held for over twenty years. Among his many honors and awards, he was recognized in 1996 as a Distinguished Alumnus of the Ohio State University. From 2003-2004, he was the President of the American Agricultural Economics Association. He spent countless hours serving on Boards and consulting for the agricultural industry, both in North Carolina and nationally.
He was devoted and faithful to another of his passions, his church, Apex United Methodist. He sang in the choir, was involved in Bible Study and classes, and served on many committees over the years. He was a devoted Ohio State and NC State sports fan and loved his baseball trips with his friends and weekends at the beach with his family and constant companion, his beagle Maggie.
Jon was absolutely known as a generous and loving man. He cared deeply for his family and friends. He was a man of constant faith, even in the face of challenges, which brought inspiration to many around him. He was a happy man, and was able to spend a very blessed Thanksgiving with his whole family before his death.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Apex United Methodist Church, 100 S. Hughes St., Apex, NC 27502.
Also, an ARE Enhancement Fund is being established to recognize Jon's professional accomplishments. Memorial gifts for this purpose may be made to "North Carolina Ag Foundation" with the notation line to read "ARE Enhancement in memory of Jon Brandt". Please send checks to Chris Wessel, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Box 7645, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695.
A celebration of Jon's life will be at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday December 2, 2013 at Apex United Methodist Church. The family will receive visitors immediately following the service.
Arrangements are by Montlawn Funeral Home, Raleigh, NC. Condolences may be made at www.montlawn.com.