Rufus James “Duke” Brandon

Rufus James “Duke” Brandon passed away May 3, 2014, at home alongside family in Willow. Rufus was born in Swifton, Arkansas, on March 23, 1919. He had learned very quickly that it is important to be a hard worker and widely skilled, which he was throughout all of his life. He always said he was a Jack of all trades. Rufus married his beautiful wife, Beatrice, on Oct. 31, 1951, in Edgewood, Texas. Together they moved to Alaska in 1958. Living in Alaska, he had taken up the love for gold mining.

He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather.

Rufus is survived by his wife, Beatrice Lee Scoggins Brandon; sons, Clark Schmidt, James Brandon, Scott Brandon and Gray Brandon; and daughters Rudy Pearl Schmidt, Shirley Brandon and Darlene Cheryl Brandon McMahan.

A celebration of life is at 3 p.m., May 10, at the family home in Willow.