Edward "Rusty" Joseph Brannan Jr.

Edward Joseph “Rusty” Brannan Jr., 79, of Des Moines, WA, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2026.

Rusty was born on March 3, 1947 to Edward and Cora Brannan. He grew up in Kennewick, Prineville, and then ultimately graduated from West Valley High School in Spokane where he met lifelong friends Nancy and Daphne. After graduation he attended Seattle University and served in the Coast Guard. He started his career in sales and a family in Spokane and ultimately moved to Vancouver and then Seattle where he grew his own business in the fashion industry with retail sales. He traveled the country and world building relationships and securing deals, developing trust with people over time even earned him an award for 45 years of service with a global company called Worldwide Distributors.

Rusty’s true loves were his family, friends, good food, and the outdoors. He took great pride in his kids and grandkid’s school and athletic events and would travel great distances and prioritize attending and supporting every event he could, whether it was music, school, or athletic related…Papa Rusty was there and proud! He loved to spend time with his wife and gather around good food with friends. He would often create close friendships with the owners of the restaurants that he frequented. He was also an avid outdoorsman; growing up fishing and hunting the farmlands of eastern Washington, he was always ready for an adventure into the wilderness and was known to hunt many types of bird, elk, and deer. Rusty loved to fish for salmon and steelhead, especially on rivers. The best day for him was when he could have it all; good friends and family, fishing on the river, eating some great food and telling fun stories of the outdoors.

Rusty is survived by his wife Joanne Brannan, his kids, Dusty Brannan (Gigi), Steve Weigel (Theresa), Stacy Kush (Rick), Kevin Weigel (Mary), Lisa McKay (Mike) and Grandchildren EJ, John, Andrea (Andrew), Monica (Cameron), Alex, Madeline (Ian), Jordan (Andy), Presley (Eric), and Henry and Great Grandchildren Addison, Audrey, Ava, Mauve, Elowyn, Hugh and Hudson.

A Celebration of Life is planned at Lake Ballenger Community Club on May 23rd from 1-4pm. All who knew and loved him are welcome. Kindly RSVP. Evite Link