Breckenridge Texan

Gilbert E. “Buddy” Brandenberger, 89, a longtime Breckenridge resident, passed away on May 8, 2020, at his home in Abilene, Texas. A private family graveside service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at the Albany Cemetery. The family will have a public memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church in Breckenridge at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2020.

Buddy was born in Stamford, Texas, on Feb 1, 1931, to Fred and Olga Brandenberger. He graduated from Stamford High School and Ranger Junior College before serving in the Korean War with the 204th F.A. Battalion as their Sergeant. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, he became a distributor for Morton Foods Company, a career he held for 33 years. He was also the president of the Breckenridge Jaycees and served on the Stephens County Hospital board for eight years, from 1971 to 1979. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder.

He met and later married Shirley Hinchey on January 15, 1965, in Albany, Texas, and together they have shared over 55 wonderful years of marriage.

Among his favorite joys in life were his wife, son, daughter-in-law, his grandchildren, and his two great-grandsons. He also enjoyed country living; watching sports, both live and on television; being outdoors; having church fish fries; church youth gatherings; and hamburger cook-outs with his two grandchildren and their friends.

Buddy loved the little rock church in Crystal Falls, where they would baptize their members in the river at their camp ground. Upon the banks of the river, they would sing “Shall We Gather at the River.” They would then have lunch beneath the pecan trees while children were running, playing, and watching the cattle grazing in the nearby meadows.

He also found enjoyment in his family and friends camping out – especially every Fourth of July beneath the pecan trees with American flags blowing in the wind at their grounds on the Clear Fork of the Brazos. He was also involved in the cattle and ranching business.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Lenora Young.

Buddy is survived by his wife, Shirley; his son, Mike and wife Ellen Brandenberger of Abilene; granddaughter, Whitney Brown of Prosper, Texas; grandson, Brian Brandenberger of Lubbock; great-grandsons, Brooks Brown and Weston Brown of Prosper; nieces, Marilyn Thane of Rio Vista, Texas, Susan Teichleman of Stamford, Texas, and Becky Jenkins and husband Carey of Gainesville, Texas; nephew, Johnny Hinchey and wife Darla of Hickory Creek, Texas; and cousin, John Kieke and wife Marilyn of Breckenridge, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Buddy’s name be made to the Abilene location of the Salvation Army or to the Breckenridge Meals on Wheels program, and can be left at the Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home office. Condolences can be made online at meltonkitchens.com.

Editor’s note:  Mr. Brandenberger’s obituary was originally published on the Breckenridge Texan on May 10, 2020, but has been updated now that the memorial service has been scheduled.