Thomas Roy Brahana

1926 - 2021

Thomas Roy Brahana
Athens - Thomas Roy Brahana, Professor Emeritus, died March 28, 2021. He was born June 26, 1926, the son of Henry Roy and Myrtle Brahana in Champaign, Illinois. After graduation from Urbana High School, he attended the University of Illinois. His education there was interrupted by his service in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.
After graduation, he worked in the oil industry in West Texas for several months. He then entered the University of Michigan as a graduate student working towards a PHD in mathematics. While there he met and married Mary Ann Weiss, a first year law student. They recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. After receiving his degree, he taught at Dartmouth College for a year and then he and his family came to Athens, IN 1954.
Professor Brahana was president of AAUP chapter at the time of the integration of the university. He chaired the meeting at which the faculty voted to keep the university open. He also was thesis advisor for the first African American Woman to receive a PHD at the university.
During his 38 years of service, he was away for two years, one as a fellow at the institute for advanced study, Princeton, N.J and another as a Fulbright Scholar teaching and doing research at the University of Zagreb, Yugoslavia.
Professor Brahana was an Eagle Scout, stamp collector, avid tennis player, and a volunteer at Athens Welcome Center. He also enjoyed traveling and he had recently published a book describing some of these trips.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Ann Brahana; children, Elizabeth Williamson, Joan Pinson, Patrick Brahana, Daniel Brahana; five grandchildren, Caleb and Hiram Williamson, Katherine McNeil, Phillip and Adeline Brahana; two great grandchildren, Samuel and Mathew McNeil.
The family would like to thank Compassionate Care Hospice and Oconee Home Health Services for all the help they provided and especially Rosalind Green for all the special care she gave the deceased.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 11:00 am at Oconee Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com.