Obituary for James R. "Jess" Brandenburg
James R. “Jess” Brandenburg of Parkville, Maryland went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at the age of 89. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
When he was a child playing Wild West games with the neighborhood kids, he always played Jesse James, and that is how he became known as “Jesse.” This fascination with the Wild West continued throughout his life, and he read 254 Western novels in the past year.
Born February 27, 1933, in Essex, Maryland, he was the son of the late C. Lawrence Brandenburg and Martha Brandenburg (nee Brawner). Jess was a 1949 graduate of Kenwood High School, where he excelled in baseball, basketball, soccer, and track and field.
Scouted on the sandlots of Essex, Jess was signed to a contract by the Washington Senators, now known as the Minnesota Twins. Following two seasons of minor league baseball, one in which he hit 10 home runs, he entered the Army and became a sharpshooter. While in the Army, Jess also traveled with the entertainment division and played baseball with such notables as Billy Martin and Ted Abernathy.
Upon discharge from the Army, Jess entered Fairmont State College on the GI Bill and studied biology and physical education. Following graduation, he began his 35-year career as a physical education teacher at Parkville Middle School. He married his college sweetheart, Wilma Elizabeth Brandenburg (nee Queen) in 1958, and the pair were inseparable for 65 years.
After retirement, Jess remained active. He played in numerous softball leagues until hanging up his cleats after 20 years at the age of 82 and continued to do 50 push-ups every morning until he was 88.
He was a deacon for over 40 years at Loch Raven Baptist Church. His joy, optimism, and kindness inspired everyone he met, and he found his life’s purpose in spreading the love of God.
Jess is survived by his wife Wilma, son David, daughter Laura and her husband Anthony Carella, his dear granddaughters Olivia Carella and Melanie and her husband Steven Brisgone, his sister Evelyn Ford (James), many nieces and nephews, and friend and brother-in-law Arthur Queen.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers John (Frances), Larry (Libby), and Clinton, and his sisters Helen Bullington (Elzie) and Geraldine Baumgartner (John).
A service will be held at Loch Raven Baptist Church at noon on Friday, December 16, 2022, The Zoom link for funeral service is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84591426237?pwd=czNLekpicVlIZko5dEhkNjRpOFJ6UT09
with visitation starting at 11:00 am and burial to follow at Moreland Memorial Cemetery. Memorial gifts in memory of Jess can be made to Loch Raven Baptist Church (8600 Loch Raven Blvd, Towson, MD 21286).
Arrangements made by: Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, PA online condolences to www.burrier-queen.com
When he was a child playing Wild West games with the neighborhood kids, he always played Jesse James, and that is how he became known as “Jesse.” This fascination with the Wild West continued throughout his life, and he read 254 Western novels in the past year.
Born February 27, 1933, in Essex, Maryland, he was the son of the late C. Lawrence Brandenburg and Martha Brandenburg (nee Brawner). Jess was a 1949 graduate of Kenwood High School, where he excelled in baseball, basketball, soccer, and track and field.
Scouted on the sandlots of Essex, Jess was signed to a contract by the Washington Senators, now known as the Minnesota Twins. Following two seasons of minor league baseball, one in which he hit 10 home runs, he entered the Army and became a sharpshooter. While in the Army, Jess also traveled with the entertainment division and played baseball with such notables as Billy Martin and Ted Abernathy.
Upon discharge from the Army, Jess entered Fairmont State College on the GI Bill and studied biology and physical education. Following graduation, he began his 35-year career as a physical education teacher at Parkville Middle School. He married his college sweetheart, Wilma Elizabeth Brandenburg (nee Queen) in 1958, and the pair were inseparable for 65 years.
After retirement, Jess remained active. He played in numerous softball leagues until hanging up his cleats after 20 years at the age of 82 and continued to do 50 push-ups every morning until he was 88.
He was a deacon for over 40 years at Loch Raven Baptist Church. His joy, optimism, and kindness inspired everyone he met, and he found his life’s purpose in spreading the love of God.
Jess is survived by his wife Wilma, son David, daughter Laura and her husband Anthony Carella, his dear granddaughters Olivia Carella and Melanie and her husband Steven Brisgone, his sister Evelyn Ford (James), many nieces and nephews, and friend and brother-in-law Arthur Queen.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers John (Frances), Larry (Libby), and Clinton, and his sisters Helen Bullington (Elzie) and Geraldine Baumgartner (John).
A service will be held at Loch Raven Baptist Church at noon on Friday, December 16, 2022, The Zoom link for funeral service is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84591426237?pwd=czNLekpicVlIZko5dEhkNjRpOFJ6UT09
with visitation starting at 11:00 am and burial to follow at Moreland Memorial Cemetery. Memorial gifts in memory of Jess can be made to Loch Raven Baptist Church (8600 Loch Raven Blvd, Towson, MD 21286).
Arrangements made by: Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, PA online condolences to www.burrier-queen.com