NORWICH – The Rev. Carl Sanford Brandon, 99, former pastor of the Beaver Meadow Christian Church and the North Pharsalia Bible Church, entered into the presence of his Savior on May 27, 2010, at the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
The son of Herman and Maude Keller Brandon, Rev. Brandon was born in Lehman, Pa., in June of 1910. He was a graduate of the Lehman High School, Valedictorian of his class. On his birthday in 1931, in Kingston, he married Erma Viola Shupp, who over the years became the ideal minister’s wife when Rev. Brandon began to pastor churches. His career with various churches in both Pennsylvania and New York spanned 60 years, from 1943 through 2003, when he officially retired. However, his lengthy careers included more than ministry, for Rev. Brandon was a man of various and diversified talents.
Pastor Brandon served the Beaver Meadow Christian Church from 1979-1986. Within five years of his “retirement,” he was instrumental in reopening the closed North Pharsalia Bible Church, serving as its pastor until 2003. He was the first “Ambassador” of the Tioga River Christian Conference and was instrumental in visiting each of the then 14 churches yearly, spreading words of encouragement. Very involved with WPEL AM radio, he was one of the first announcers when it began in 1953. He was a printer in Oxford for a time, as operator of the Sunshine Press. People still talk about his baking prowess, remembering lemon meringue pies and Welsh cookies which he delivered door to door for a time and then sold for years as a member of the Chenango County Farmer’s Market. Rev. Brandon expanded his baking business with the inclusion of a trailer which he converted into his kitchen, and for a time baked pizzas on Friday nights, which were delivered on request. Not to be outdone by the crafting craze, he took up crocheting and worked at various flea market set-ups with crocheted potholders, hats, and other articles. Even after his retirement, he could be called upon to do funeral services for former parishioners, and was often asked to do so because they were considered by him to be family.
Rev. Brandon is survived by his children and their spouses: Carol and John Arendt of Carbondale, Pa., and Emerson and Rosina Brandon of New Milford, Pa.; his daughter-in-law, Edna Brandon; by 13 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren. His beloved wife, Erma, predeceased him on Feb. 2, 1995; and he was also predeceased by his son, Glenn Brandon; and his sister and brother, Elsie and Don.
A memorial service for Rev. Brandon will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday from the Old Mill Christian Life Fellowship, where he served for a time. Rev. Brandon’s grandson by marriage and the Associate Pastor of the South New Milford Baptist Church, the Rev. James Camacho, will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to WPEL, P.O. Box 248, Montrose, PA 18801.