James Brandenburg

James L. Brandenburg

On April 13, 2024, Jim (Bucky) Brandenburg passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter where he had resided for six years since the death of his wife, Marjorie Pearl Brandenburg. His cherished blue skies of New Mexico, which he often painted, opened up and welcomed him into the heavens. Our world is diminished and will never be the same.

Jim was born to Floyd (Brandy) and Alice Brandenburg on August 3, 1930, in Mountainair, New Mexico. His childhood was one with minimal material comforts but filled with family and love. Looking back, he frequently commented they had everything anyone could desire, revealing his eternal and ever apparent optimism.

Santa Fe High School had never known an athlete with Jim's talents. In 1948, he was named the "All State Fullback" and in 1949, he was named to "All State" in basketball. He enrolled at UNM on a football scholarship.

In 1951, Jim joined the United States Air Force and was shipped to Misawa, Japan. He returned stateside when he broke his leg playing for the Misawa AFB football team. He continued to serve in several capacities, including attending navigation school and pilot training until he was honorably discharged in 1958.

Upon leaving the USAF, Jim attended UNM law school. He was sworn into the New Mexico State Bar in 1961. His father, Brandy, had encouraged him to be a high school football coach. Brandy was sorely disappointed when Jim thought he could better support his family by being a lawyer. That is, until Brandy sat through one of Jim's first trials. When the jury returned a verdict in Jim's client's favor and the courtroom erupted in applause, Brandy commented with approval, "That's almost as good as a touchdown!"

Jim went on to have a stellar legal career working as "Chief Trial Prosecutor" under district attorney Al Sceresse, Assistant Federal Public Defender, and serving as Bernalillo County District Attorney from 1972-1976. For the remainder of his career, Jim was in private practice, practicing 20 of those years with his daughter until she followed in his footsteps, becoming Bernalillo County District Attorney in 2001. Jim was an extraordinary trial attorney. His passion for trial and being in the courtroom never died. A true gentleman, his style was understated, and his credible demeanor and charisma resulted in many successful verdicts. The rumor was, if an accused person was innocent, the lawyer to go to was Jim Brandenburg.

Jim was the beloved father of four children: Kathy, Kari, Randy, and Marcy. He coached Little League baseball for many years, was best man at his son's wedding, and had an extraordinary wit and sense of humor. He became an accomplished landscape artist and continued to be frustrated with his less than perfect golf score. One individual said Jim was the kind of man all men wished to be. Another friend and colleague offered, "Jim was a great man in all aspects of life. He was one of two men I ever idolized."

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ray, granddaughter Skye Elizabeth, and the love of his life, Marjorie Pearl to whom he was married for almost 65 years.

Jim is survived by his four children, eight grandchildren, and six great grandchildren, with another due in May.

The family plans to spread Jim's and Marjorie's ashes in a special place in Jamaica where they often vacationed and spent happy times with friends and family.