Jimmy Ray Brandenburg

Dec 10, 1935 – June 18, 2023

Jim “Jimmy” or “Brandy” Ray Brandenburg passed away peacefully on the morning of Father’s Day June 18, 2023 with his loving daughter by his side in Lakeway, Texas. Jim was 87 years old.

Jimmy was born on December 10, 1935 in Topeka Kansas. He was the only child of Charles Ray Brandenburg and Sarah Kimball Brandenburg. He grew up in San Antonio, Texas and attended Thomas Edison High School excelling as a student and playing basketball.

Jim graduated from Colorado State University and played basketball under Bill Strannigan and Jim Williams in 1953-1958. After college, he joined the Merchant Marines. He met the love of his life, Janice Christopher in San Antonio, Texas where she attended Trinity University. They married on August 1, 1959 and went on to have two daughters, Gaye and Shannon and one son, Bart. They were a basketball coaching family and Jim and Janice celebrated 50 years of marriage shortly before she passed away in 2009.

Jim dedicated his life to education and coaching basketball. While teaching multiple subjects, Jim coached men’s basketball at Luther Burbank High School in San Antonio for five years and followed that with six years at William C. Hinkley High School in Aurora, Colorado. He spent a year at Flathead Community College in Kalispell Montana before joining Lou Rocheleau (1970-71) and Jud Heathcote (1971-76) as the assistant coach for the Montana Grizzlies. He was hired to replace Heathcote in 1976-77 and led the Grizzlies to an 18-8 record in his first season as head coach. Brandenburg was named the Big Sky co-coach of the year in 1978 and the team went 12-2 to win the regular-season conference crown.

The pinnacle of Jim’s coaching career was nine seasons coaching the Wyoming Cowboys from 1978-79 through 1986-87, where he was one of the most successful basketball coaches in Wyoming history. During that time, he led the Cowboys to three Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championships and three NCAA Tournaments, including the Sweet 16 in 1987; and a runner-up to finish in the 1986 NIT. He was named the WAC coach of the year three times in 1981, 1982 and 1986. He went on to coach at San Diego State University from 1987-1992. He was inducted into the Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.

Jim lived his life with discipline, focus and a fierce competitiveness, and his teams reflected that. He emphasized the importance of education to all of his players. Jim touched so many lives through his coaching, teaching and mentoring and will be missed by many.

He is survived by his daughter Gaye Wimmer, husband Martin and children, Madelynn Wimmer and Spencer; daughter Shannon Bui, husband David and children, Christopher and Cole; son Bart Brandenburg, wife Jaclynn and children, Nicole and Beau. He has reunited with his loving wife, Janice Brandenburg, in heaven.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held on July 15, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Arena Auditorium at the University of Wyoming.

Special Thanks to the lovely caregivers and staff at Arbor Terrace, Suncrest Hospice, and to the University of Wyoming.

Contributions can be made to a charity in Jim’s community: Twelve:Thirty-one at 1231.kindful.com/?campaign=1199660 or [email protected]