Ken and Raleta Brandon

Ken and Raleta Brandon

CORVALLIS - Raleta passed away on September 11, 2021 and Kenneth passed away on April 11, 2024. Both passed of age-related health issues.

Raleta Joyce was born in Shedd, Oregon in 1934, the third of eight children born to Ralph and Reta Waddell. Her family moved up to McKenzie Bridge when she was a few years old, and she remained there until moving to Reedsport for her last two years of high school. In Reedsport, she lived with her maternal aunt and uncle where she was a nanny for her three younger cousins. It was during this time in Reedsport that she started dating Ken, who was also attending Reedsport High School.

Kenneth Oliver was born in Reedsport in 1934 to Marvin (Bud) and Olive Brandon. His mother passed away when he was seven and he was raised by a host of aunts and uncles, as well as his father and many cousins. After high school, he attended Linfield College for a semester on a football scholarship, where he played center position.

Ken and Raleta were married on December 21, 1952, and moved back to McKenzie Bridge where they started their family. Within seven years they had daughters, Terrie, Karleen, Rhonda, and Glenda. A still born boy, Timothy Ralph, was also born during that timeframe.

Ken worked various jobs around Oregon and the family made a long-term move to Coquille, when Ken accepted a position as an Oregon State trooper. After resigning from the state police, he owned a service station and John Deere dealership before he returned to police work with the Coos County Sheriff department from which he retired.

After most of the girls were in grade school, Raleta went to work at Roseburg Lumber company, and she remained there until her retirement.

After retirement, Ken & Raleta moved to Brownsville, along the Calapooya river where all the family enjoyed the bounties of Ken's garden, Raleta's flowers and playing in the river. When health started to decline, they moved into an independent living facility and later into assisted living.

Ken & Raleta loved to travel, especially with Raleta's sister, Darlene, and her husband Dick. They traveled to Australia, Costa Rica, Morocco, Europe, China, and many places around the US in their travels.

They leave behind their daughters, Terrie (Ron), Karleen (Reed), Rhonda and Glenda (Scott) and well as 8 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, Raleta's siblings Dean and SueAnn and many nieces, nephews and other family members.

Preceding them in death are son Timothy, granddaughter Nicole, Raleta's siblings; Dale, Gary, Darlene and Bobby and Ken's sister, Donna.