Don Brandon

1953 - 2014

Don Juan Diego Tenorio Brandon passed away May 1, 2014, at the University of Washington Medical Center with loving family at his side.
Mr. Brandon was preceded in death by his brothers, Norman and Joseph Tenorio.
Don Brandon is survived by family, including his brother, Merle Brandon, of Lake Tahoe; nieces, Camille Brandon and Anna Craig; nephews, Sevey Brandon and Benjamin Brandon; and former wife, Linda Taylor, who remained a close personal friend for the remainder of his life. Don was transported by brother, Merle, to Lake Tahoe for burial.
Don "Diggy" was born on Nov. 25, 1953, in Camden, South Carolina, and spent 40 years in Alaska. He was always a nonreligious, hard-wired Christian who worked tirelessly as a top-drawer Americans with Disabilities Act technical advocate. He was loved by anyone blessed to meet him, and we are short one good man.
Don's favorite Bible verse is found in the book of John, "… I came that you might have life and have it super abundantly" (John 10:10).
Some people die when they are young but are buried at 60. Don never stopped living life "super abundantly" until his death at 60, and being a wise man, was not taken by surprise; he was found ready.
Don received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Charleston Southern University and worked on his master's at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Don's resume and credentials are extensive, but simply put - Don wanted everyone to live life abundantly and made it his mission to remove barriers to that end. 
During the past 30 years, Don's career spanned many states and all accessibility disciplines. Just to mention a few: Don was the creator of B.O.L.T (Better Opportunities for Living Today) and director of Northwest ADA Center at the University of Washington. Don was the Interior outreach supervisor for Access Alaska when they first opened their office in Fairbanks. During the last decade, Don was the ADA technical advisor to all ADA technical advisors across many states. He really was the final guy you were always looking for when you needed ADA answers, interpretations and/or resolutions.
One of Don's gifts was to bring persons with disabilities, businesses and governments together to find reasonable accommodations on all accessibility concerns. This could be in the areas of employee benefits, environment, human resources, policy and system analysis, just to name a few. Through his mastery in communication and conflict resolution, he was always fighting for accessibility, in all aspects, and in turn, helped business and government leaders understand the value in the ADA. Being accessible and/or accommodating brought in valued employees and customers, and increased revenue at an affordable cost.
Don even had time to be a member of the U.S. Access Board MDE Advisory Committee, the National ADA Network Project Directors Group and the ADAP Advocacy Association for Airline Passenger Rights. Don also toured national parks to be certain of accessibility compliance, and was the key advocate who brought "Curb Cuts" to Fairbanks.
Whether Don was speaking before the U.S. Senate, steering the State of Alaska's ADA Compliance Committee, while at the same time being the State of Alaska ADA Coordinator, creating informational and motivational videos, being an expert ADA witness, mediating ADA conflicts with local and national companies, or on tour as a motivational speaker, his goals remained clear through the use of his invigorating down-to-earth style of communication. He was always creating systemic changes to all environments for inclusion of persons with disabilities in the work place, and all public access so they could have life abundantly.
Part of Don's charm was his love of fine cars. He belonged to the "Juneau Dipsticks" car club. He loved to go "cruzin'" in his beloved, cherry '55 Cadillac Coupe De Ville seated low, with music "go-in" on. The "look-in" cool Don would smile and say, "I got hooked on nostalgia."
Even though paralyzed in 1971, little kept Don from scuba diving excursions, his "tally hos" off a snow covered mountain at Iron Man or being bungee corded onto a snowmachine or four-wheeler for a romp into no-man's land. Don also has been found by friends, upside down in a tree on the side of Mt. Alyeska after flying off his mono-ski (definitely fearless).
This fearless passion drove Don's creation of the world's longest wheelchair marathon from Fairbanks to Anchorage, covering 367 miles across the Alaska Range. Many people told Don this was impossible, which simply made Don more committed to his quest. Don's efforts resulted in his inaugural winning of that race and five finishes. That race, which is now called the "Sadler's Ultra Challenge," is held every year and attracts pro-wheelchair racers from across the planet.
We all knew Don for his loving and compassionate concern for all who crossed his path. Don always had time for you even though he was busier than most. Don had a picture of the cup he would share that helped you to understand the real problem and most likely see a better solution.
Don always seemed to have at least one girl (or two) at his side and would often be seen with his Indiana Jones hat on top of a shiny head with that warm smiling face and, "I love you," gleaming eyes. Don's strong, firm hug made you feel blessed and he was always ready to pray for you - on the spot, because we all needed it. Don's quick wit one-liners followed him into every area of life, including when he would sweat on only the left half of his body, after eating hot peppers he couldn't resist. He would say, "Only half the peppers were hot!"
Thanks for your love and perseverance, Don - we will meet again - amen.
Come help us celebrate our precious friend's life at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 18 at the Pioneer Park, Playground Pavilion. Bring a Mexican dish, side, chips, etc. and any pictures you may have to share. A guest book will be there, in which you can write your favorite story, to be given to the family.