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James Robert Brandenburg

1943 - 2023

BORN

1943

DIED

2023

FUNERAL HOME

Castle Ridge Mortuary - North

10901 W. Loop 1604

San Antonio, Texas

James Brandenburg Obituary

Name: Memorial service for James Robert Brandenburg
Start: 2023-01-28T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Castle Ridge Mortuary North

James (Jim) Robert Brandenburg was born in Middletown, Ohio on January 31, 1943, to Herman Brandenburg and Alma McClung. Jim, a lifelong teacher, poet, therapist and a longtime resident of San Antonio, Texas sadly departed us January 13, 2023.

Jim is survived by his wife of 25 years, Maria (Padron) Brandenburg; his children: Jessica Ankenbruck (Paul); Jerel Brandenburg; Naomi Brandenburg Crawford (Tory); Angelica Padron Walker (Todd); Sebastian Padron (Tara); his grandchildren: Chelsea Ankenbruck (Teddy) and Rachel Ankenbruck (Jake); Taylor Crawford Hart (Landon); Taje' Brandenburg, Allison Joy Crawford, Eliyanah J. Padron; and one great-granddaughter, Talia Brandenburg. Jim has two siblings: Darlene (Brandenburg) Foote of Ooltewah, Tennessee and brother, Steve Brandenburg (deceased).

Jim's lifelong journey as an educator spans several decades. Locally, he taught at Texas Military Institute (TMI), Marshall HS, Clark HS and he served as a counselor at San Antonio College (SAC) and abroad in Germany.

Jim was also a poet and licensed therapist. He intertwined poetry and dream interpretation in his therapy as a healing process.

Jim, a devoted husband and father enjoyed coffee, writing poetry, exercising, tennis, swimming and traveling. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him!

A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 28th at the Castle Ridge Mortuary North on 10901 W Loop 1604 N, San Antonio, TX 78254.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity and condolences may be offered at 10901 W Loop 1604 N, San Antonio, TX 78254.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Antonio Express-News on Jan. 22, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for James Brandenburg

Sponsored by Castle Ridge Mortuary - North.

12 Entries

Stuart Young

July 7, 2025

Intelligent; compassionate; a gifted therapist and poet. I regret SO-much that I didn't stay in-touch - I am only now finding-out that he passed-away over 2 years ago. He made a HUGE difference in my life in the early-to-mid 2010s. R.I.P., friend.

Maria T Gomez

December 16, 2023

I miss your Sunday texts! This time of year I would be reading your Christmas letter! I was looking for cards and found your letter and picture from 2022. We both said we would retire together .. at least we did it in the same spring semester. I miss talking to you; sharing our thoughts about students, interns, and dreams. I think of you often.

Morgan Williams

January 28, 2023

What a wonderful, brilliant man! Dr. Brandenburg was my analyst these past 6 years and helped me grow into health. I treasure him as a teacher, a warm, kind friend, and a guide.
To me he seemed timeless and open. Only partly of this earth. He was such a blessing to me and I know he was a deep blessing to a couple of friends who also shared in the gift of his wisdom and counsel. His spirituality was deep and could be sensed when speaking with him.
By his own accounts he loved his life and where it had taken him. He talked very often of his life with Maria, his love for her and their entire family, and I have kept and will always treasure the annual Holiday letters I received from him.
He is deeply missed, but I know he´s not gone; he´s still with us in wisdom and spirit.
Thank you, Dr. Brandenburg, for everything you shared with me. Your time, your wisdom, your compassion, and your friendship.

Maria T Gomez

January 27, 2023

Dr.B

Scaling mountains to the clouds
Walking sandy beaches by the waves
Dancing, always dancing through the night
The laughter, the sadness, the healing
Loving and learning, always learning
Sharing wisdom and knowledge
A gift to all he knew
Searching through dreams and lines of poems
Finding the answers to pain and despair
To heal
To come to a place of quiet
To come to a place of peace.

I worked as a counselor with Dr.B at San Antonio College for many years. I have never respected a fellow human being as much as I respected him. He validated my work as a counselor but more importantly, he respected me as a colleague and as a person. Working with him was an absolute joy and a privilege. We shared the common interest of life long learning, Carl Jung and of course dreams. Our conversations were always insightful and fun. He had a twinkle in his eye that always made me feel comforted and secure. We always did better when he was with us. So many people benefited from his knowledge and expertise. I am so devastated by his passing. It´s as if a light has gone out. My heart hurts for his family who he adored. We have lost a good teacher, mentor and friend.
God speed Dr. B.

Andrew Denny

January 26, 2023

A prince and a great man has fallen this day. Rest in peace, Jim, and my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Mandy Hebert (Markham)

January 24, 2023

I do not have enough space to say all I want to say. I had JUST FOUND Mr. Brandenburg on Facebook a couple of weeks ago. I reached out, but did not hear back. I reached out because he literally saved my life. In high school, (class of 97) I literally had daily meetings with him due to my family life. He encouraged me, never judged me, tried his best to get me help, and very much kept me alive. He parented me, and helped guide me in ways that I can never repay. I am devastated to hear of his passing, and I am so sorry to his family, because I cannot imagine the impact he had on you. Please know this man was loved beyond measure because of his kindness and he was a counselor that cared like I've never seen since, and I worked in a school district.

I could not wait to tell him that my life turned out with great success and I owe SO MUCH of that to him. So, I also thank him for being who he was.

Again, I could go on for days. Thank you to his family for sharing him with the rest of us.

Maribeth E Pittman

Planted Trees

Maribeth Edwards Elliott Pittman

January 23, 2023

I've known Jim since the fall of 1965, when I was a fresh-eyed freshman at Marion (Indiana) High School and he was my German teacher. Not only was he the best teacher I ever had (both in and out of the classroom), but he and I have remained very close friends all through these many decades since then. Words can't express how much I'll miss his loving, supportive, and influential presence in my life.

Christine Chapman

January 22, 2023

I´m so sad to hear of James´ passing. I´ll always remember him as a warm and supportive friend at Zentrum, and a wonderful travel companion through Egypt. My thoughts are with Maria and family. I´ll hold James fondly in my heart.

Trip Sullivan

January 22, 2023

I am so sorry to hear about Jim's passing. I taught with him at John Marshall High school for a couple of years 1987-89 or thereabouts. I remember him as a kind, gentle man with a good sense of humor. I know you will miss him.

Peter M Holland

January 20, 2023

Pops
Dedicated to Jim Brandenburg

Positive Optimistic Personable
was Pops to me.
He came into my life
at just the right time,
I was turning a corner
I never saw coming.
He helped this poet fly.
He, and others gone too,
helped discover my voice.
I hope he knows how much
he was loved and now missed.

© 2023 Pops by Peter Holland