Jimmy Irby Brannan

Jimmy Irby Brannan, 82, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away, peacefully, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014. Born, March 20, 1931, to J Will and Nannie Ester Brannan of Greenbrier, Ark. He was the youngest of 10 children. Jimmy spent four years in the Air Force and later graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Civil Engineering. After college he worked for the highway department as a self described, "poop and pipe engineer," for 6 1/2 years. In those 6 1/2 years, the family moved four times, from Fayetteville to Batesville, to Heber Springs, to Mt. View, to Wynne. The family eventually settled, again, in Fayetteville, Ark., where Jimmy started working for McGoodwin, William and Yates Engineering Firm in 1977. He retired from the firm after 22 years and spent the next 10 consulting for the firm. As well as describing himself as a "yellow dog Democrat," he was also a member of University Baptist Church. Called (little) Papa by his grandchildren, his family and friends remember him as an avid morning person with a healthy dose of common sense, a sharp sense of humor, and, hands down, the best storyteller in the family. Jimmy is survived by his wife of 57 years, Geneva "Gigi" Griffin-Brannan; son, Stacy Brannan and wife Cynthia of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter, Monica Lowe and husband Gary of Greenwood, Ark.; son, Christian Brannan of Fayetteville, Ark.; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association (1-800-223-2732), or the Willard Walker Hospice Home (479-463-2273). A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. today, Jan. 20, at University Baptist Church, 333 W. Maple St., Fayetteville, Ark. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.nelsonberna.com