Paul Brannan

October 3, 1934- September 5, 2010 Paul Brannan was born on October 3, 1934 in Riverside, California and continued to live there through his high school graduation in 1952. Paul was a top level swimmer in high school and was offered an athletic scholarship in swimming to the University of Southern California on graduation. He attended USC for the next four years, graduating with a degree in educationin 1956, and was also chosen to the All American Swim team that same year. Paul began his career in education in 1956, teaching 5th grade in the Duarte Unified School District near Los Angeles. However, part way through the school year, he was drafted. In order to complete the teaching year, he chose to enlist in the Army to obtain a later call up date and to have a greater number of military occupation choices. He enlisted in the Army in June 1957 and after completing his training at Ft. Lewis, Washington, was sent to Baltimore, Maryland for Counter Intelligence Corp training, followed by six months French language training at the army language school in Monterey, California. For his final two years in the army, Paul was assigned to cover an area in Southwestern France. While living in France, Paul acquired his life-long interest in fine wines. He was honorably discharged from the 4rmy 1960 as a buck Sergeant. On his return to California, Paul continued teaching in the Duarte Unified School District, becoming an assistant Principal in his third year while also earning a Master's Degree in Educational Administration. During the same three-year period his two children were born, Christopher Brannan and Camilynn Brannan, both of whom became close, lifelong companions. In 1963, Paul was hired as the Redway School Principal in the Southern Humboldt Unified School District, a position he held for the next 18 years. During this time, he served as president of the Garberville Rotary Club from 1972-1973. When it became time to move on from the principalship in 1981, he and his brother Don started a rare and out of print book business. He later bought out his brother's interest and continued selling books, at first, through mail order catalogs and then became an early adapter of the internet. He retired from the business after 24 years. In 1977, he married Colleen who became his loving, lifelong companion and a fellow wine aficionado. In time they became known among the vineyards and wineries in Sonoma County. Paul and Colleen travelled extensively throughout the United States, sometimes with Colleen's daughter, Alyson, who quickly became an active member of the family, and travelled widely in California and beyond. Later, Paul and Colleen took extended vacations in Hawaii and Europe. In addition, they met regularly with Paul's daughter Cami, husband Jim, and grandson Sam, for resort vacations In various parts of the country. Many holidays and other occasions were shared with Colleen's daughters Alyson & Renee and her husband John, grandchildren Lauren and Jeffrey and lifelong friends. Paul and his son Chris were very close, having started backpacking together when Chris was just three years old. From simple trips in the beginning, their excursions evolved into off-trail, cross country and range crossing treksin California and Montana. Paul had to give up backpacking in 2007 but continued serious day hikes in the Sierras until 2009, Both Paul and Chris were loyal 49er and USC football fans and held season tickets to the 49ers for years. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Cami, his sister Sandy and is survived by his wife Colleen, son Chris and his wife, Brigette, son-in-law Jim, brother Don and his wife Dottie, step-daughters, Alyson and Renee and her husband John and grandchildren Sam, Lauren and Jeffrey and many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Paul died of cancer of September 5th, 2010. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart of the Redwoods Hospice, 464 Maple Lane, Garberville, CA 95542, 707-923-7276 or a favorite charity. Arrangements are under the direction of Goble's Fortuna Mortuary, Fortuna. Please sign our online guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obits.