Gary Garnea Brannum

Gary Garnea Brannum was born on November 8, 1953, in Washington, DC to the late Thomas Brannum and Vera Brannum. Gary gave his life to the “Most High” at an early age. He always studied the Bible and the Holy Quran and held the “Almighty” deep within his heart. Gary departed this life on Sunday, September 4, 2022, at age 68, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Gary was educated in the DC Public School System. He attended Simon Elementary School and Hart Middle School and graduated from Ballou High School in 1972. Early in his career, Gary served as a DC Metropolitan Cadet, and later became a Print Press Operator for the DC Government, Small Business Admn., So. Maryland Hospital Center, and the US Depart. of the Navy. After retiring from the Depart. of the Navy in June 1999, Gary began his entrepreneurial business operating “Your Personal Printer” as a US Federal Government Contractor until 2019. In 2015, he added a partnership venture with his daughter, Maisha Wilson, at Moda Por Casa Housekeeping & Design, to his operations.

Gary, “G-Ola”, “Square”, Daddy, Granddaddy, or Uncle Gary was many things to many people. He was a strong and devoted man - a son, brother, father, grandfather, and uncle with a caring heart and loving presence. He deeply loved the “Most High”, his family, and his friends. Gary also loved his fur babies, Dutchess, Redz, Gizmo, Pepper, and Charlie, whom we know will miss his fatherly love. He was a kind-hearted man that maintained a positive outlook on life and never spoke badly about anyone. Gary loved good ole soul food and was known to take a plate or three during his holiday visits.

Gary was a lover of a simple life filled with home improvement projects, gardening and landscaping, family gatherings, and soul music. On any day, you could catch him walking to the nearest convenience stores with his grandkids, taking them to the playground or Chuck E. Cheese, or visiting “the Goodwill” (a.k.a. Macy’s). Gary was a basketball enthusiast, known for his ball-handling and jump-shot. You could find him serving up the hoops and keeping the peace on the nearest basketball court. Gary enjoyed watching documentaries, horrors, thrillers, and Sci-Fi’s or harmonizing to his good ole cassettes playing melodies from Earth, Wind, & Fire, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Atlantic Star, SOS Band, Commodores, and many others. He may have even played the kalimba for you back in the day.    

Gary was a wise man known for sharing his wisdom garnered from life lessons or teachings from the Bible or Quran, and he was consistently encouraging and supportive to his loved ones. He had a heart of gold and would give you his last of anything. You could always count on Gary telling funny stories about the stern rearing of his incredible mom and dad or adventurous tales about coming up with his siblings. These fond memories guaranteed a quick smile to Gary’s face and warmed his heart, along with anyone lucky enough to be in his presence. 

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