Steve Brandenburg

Charles Stephen (Steve) Brandenburg, age 83, was welcomed into the arms of his Savior on October 19, 2025. Visitation will be held at Heartland Funeral Home on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be on October 25, 2025, at Heartland Funeral Home 10:00 a.m., with a private burial to follow at Zephyr Cemetery.
Steve was born in Danville, Illinois, on September 9, 1942 to parents Charles Emmerson and Nila June. Steve graduated from New Ross High School in 1961 and shortly after joined the Army, where he served until 1964, including deployment in South Korea.
He met his late wife Linda while stationed at Fort Hood, and they married in Killeen, Texas, on January 20, 1965. They were happily married for 27 years. He earned his bachelor's degree in drafting and architecture from Southwest Texas State University in 1971 and later received an MEd in curriculum development from Kansas State of Pittsburg in 1976.
A life-long learner and an exceptional educator and curriculum developer, Steve spent 24 years in the public school system, first as a drafting teacher and later as a principal and superintendent. He retired in 1996 from Richland Springs ISD and was asked by his pastor to found and lead Living Word Christian Academy in Brownwood, Texas, where he spent ten years as the administrator.
He married Carolyn Glass Brandenburg in Brownwood on May 25, 1993, and they spent 32 happy years together. With both of their educator schedules, they enjoyed traveling throughout the United States during the summers. Steve was a faithful and loving father and a beloved Grandpa and Pawpaw to fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Steve was a longtime member of Victory Life, and he was a member of Gideons as well as a Royal Rangers commander. In addition to his devotion to God, family, and education, Steve's great joy in life was working on cars with his sons. Steve never met a stranger and could carry a long conversation about history, cars, education, or the military.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his late wife Linda of Killeen, his brother Terry Brandenburg of Covington, and his brothers-in-law Jimmy Williams of Killeen, and David Vos of Kansas City.
He is survived by his wife Carolyn of Brownwood; his children Charles (Chuck) Brandenburg and wife Monica of Killeen and their nine children Hannah Brandenburg, Joshua Brandenburg, Abigail Van Dam and husband Vince and two great-grandchildren Axel Van Dam and Wesley Van Dam, Sarah Brandenburg, Grace Brandenburg, Nathanael Brandenburg, Susanna Brandenburg, Charles Joseph Brandenburg, Joanna Brandenburg; Cindie Clayton of Houston and her two children Ali Clayton and Claire Clayton; Julie Simon and husband Richard of Early; and Howell Brandenburg and wife Laura of Plainview and their three children Emmerson Brandenburg, Charleigh Brandenburg, and Halle Brandenburg. He is also survived by his sister Hester Ann Vos of Kansas City and sisters-in-law Dianna Williams of Killeen, Connie Gartman and husband Chuck of Brownwood, Marsha Collins of San Angelo, and Karen Brandenburg of Covington.
Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net