Paul C. Brabham

Paul Columbus Brabham, 89, born 1923, Glenmora, LA, passed away peacefully September 10, 2012 following a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mixon Lee “Mickie” Leach (Richardson, TX), his children, Monica (Dallas, TX), Charles (Grapevine, TX), Anne (Dallas, TX) and Robert (Richardson, TX), daughter-in-law Carol, and grandson, Ian.

He is also survived by the following sisters-in-laws, Martha Sanderson and husband, Ralph (Tampa, FL); Frances Watson and husband Robert (Montgomery, TX); Dr. Carolyn Huntoon and husband, Harry (Barrington, RI); and brother-in-law, Claude “Buddy” Leach and his wife, Laura (Lake Charles, LA). Also, many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Paul C. Brabham, Jr. (Leesville, LA); parents, Wesley and Mitylene Bond Brabham, (Leesville, LA); brother, Douglas Wesley Brabham; and sister-in-laws, Gloria Hope Owen and husband, Creighton (Leesville, LA) and Stella Brabham(Leesville).

Visitation is 5 to 8 pm, Thursday, September 13, 2012, Sparkman Funeral Home in Richardson. The funeral is 1 pm, Friday, September 14, 2012, Highland Park United Methodist Church, Cox Chapel, 3300 Mockingbird Lane. Interment will be at a later date, DFW National Cemetery.

Paul grew up during the Depression on a family farm. He never lacked for food but he started work at a young age plowing the fields, feeding the cows and developing a lifelong appreciation of bacon and sausage. He graduated from Pickering High School (1939).

Drafted in 1943, he began his military service on March 2. When given a choice as to which branch of the military, he said “yes” to the Army Air Force. During WW II, Paul was a Staff Sargent, sperry ball turret gunner, 15th Air Force B-24 Liberator group, 761st Bombardment Group, 49th Bombardment Wing. Paul’s 18th combat successful mission was the heavily defended Blechhammer Oil Refineries located in Silesia Germany, the remaining main source of oil products for Germany. He received the following, Air Medal, Three Oak Leaf Cluster to Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, European Theatre Ribbon, Rome and Campaign Battle Star, Southern France Campaign Battle Star and Certificate of Valor. He completed 35 Combat Missions from August 1944 to April 1945. His service ended on June 30, 1945.

Returning home he went to LSU- Baton Rouge on the GI Bill, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering.

He married Mixon Lee Leach (Leesville, LA) on June 10, 1948.

After graduating from LSU, he returned to Leesville and worked with his father at the Brabham’s Livestock Commission Market and Machine and Welding Shop. He sold livestock and welded. In 1955, he left to pursue engineering work with the Soil Conservation Service in Pecos, TX. Next, he worked for the Bureau of Reclamation in Grand Island, NB; Stockton, KS; Ainsworth, NB; Carson City, NV; Phoenix, AZ; and Carson, City, NV. He them began his career with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineering in Tulsa, OK, 1964 to 1970. Paul’s career in government service ended when he retired in Dallas, TX, as a GS-13 engineer, Planning Division, flood control projects and budget, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1970-1983).

As a father, he taught his children that the color of a person skin, sex or religious beliefs were not reasons to treat someone differently. He judged people by their actions. A thoughtful man, he was slow to comment and quick to smile.

During school’s summer vacation, he and Mickie loaded their four children into the family’s station wagon (lines of demarcation clearly articulated and not to be crossed without eruptions of violence) and saw America. Always getting an early start, he drove to natural and man-made attractions and historical landmarks while never passing a historical marker on the road without stopping to read it. The roads he drove, 2 and 4 lane highways not only took us to new sites but home to Leesville, LA, where his parents lived and his in-laws gathered to celebrate: Birthdays, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor day and Family Christmas.

Paul loved learning, taking classes throughout his life - the last being yoga at Richland Community College, Dallas TX. Over his life, the classes ranged from business management to computers to yoga, everywhere he and his family lived he pursued knowledge.

Although a life-long Democrat as a federal employee, he was not able to participate in partisan elections. But he quickly made up for lost time after retiring becoming a Democratic Precinct Chair, 1722; President, Richardson/ North Dallas Democrats; member, Lake Highlands/ White Rock Democrats; delegate, Texas Democratic Party Conventions, delegate, 16th Senatorial Democratic Conventions .

Paul was a member of the following: Highland Park United Methodist Church; the 2x2 Class Sunday school class at Highland Park United Methodist Church; Lake Highlands/ White Rock Lake Democrats; Richardson/ North Dallas Democrats; National Association of Retired Federal Employees; The 461st Liberaider and The Grand Lodge of Louisiana. He was a valuable officer in most of these groups.

Donations may be made to North Texas Food Bank or 2x2 Class Fund at Highland Park United Methodist Church.