Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Orval Brannan

Mr. Orval Franklin Brannan, 68, passed away April 8, 2008 after a year-long battle with cancer.

He was born Nov. 30, 1930 in Hope, to loving parents Ruby Hart Brannan and Alfred Delmar Brannan. He made many lifelong friends in these early years in Hope. After high school, he spent five years in the freshman class of several universities. The United States Air Force claimed his next four years. He attributed much of his subsequent business success to the electrical training he received in the air force. Orval supervised and managed Westerns Digital Systems, Houston Field Services, and Alaska Marine Operations. He was named president of Western Geophysical Company in 1991 after serving as Senior Vice President of Western Hemisphere Operations and Executive Vice President. In 1996, he moved to London to serve as Western Atlas International Executive Vice President of business development in addition to his responsibilities for the PetroAlliance joint venture with the former Soviet Union. He retired to Hot Springs Village, in 1998 after Western was acquired by Baker Hughes. In retirement, Orval enjoyed building his home, Brandys Point, on the lake and entertaining his family and friends there. Family, friends, fishing, golf, bird hunting, gardening and travel filled his time, but he was most happy when he returned to Brandys Point. He named his home after his first beloved, legendary Brittany, Brandy, who was followed by Kate, Tess, and Meg. Orval was a man for all seasons, figuratively and literally. He was a much at ease fishing on Lake Ouachita, discussing how his pond or terrace of flower beds should be built, golfing in Scotland, or pheasant shooting in England as he was in the boardroom. Every winter he waited for spring to he could plant his tomatoes and flowers; summer was golf, fishing, travel; autumn brought quail hunting and Arkansas lovely colors; and then came Christmas when his generous spirit was as evident as his love of the season.

Orval was preceded in death by his parents; and his first wife, Lynne Hanson Brannan.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara of Hot Springs Village; sons, Scott and wife, Rachel and Jeff and wife Christine, all of Missouri, Texas; grandsons, Jackson, Spencer, Ethan and Trevor, all of Missouri City, Texas; brothers, Johnny Brannan and wife, Linda of Prescott and A.D. Brannan and wife, Barbara of Shreveport, La. and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral service was at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12 at the Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church, 700 Balearic Road, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909. The grave side service was at 3:30 p.m. also, on Saturday, April 12 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Hope. Arrangements were by Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home of Hope.

Charitable contributions may be made to Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church. The online guest book is at www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com