Joseph Alonzo Brandon Jr.

BRANDON, Joseph “Lonnie” Alonzo, Jr., 83, of Varina, passed away Saturday, January 26, 2019, after a battle with cancer and heart problems. Lonnie was a lifelong resident of Varina, the son of Joseph A. and Minnie Mae Taylor Brandon. He was predeceased by three half-sisters, Ruth Jones, Nell Fleming and Dorothy Michaels. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Arie Midkiff Brandon; sons, Robert (Wendy), David (Bill McCaffrey); daughters, Kitty Duke (Danny), Joyce Edwards (Randal Jones); grandsons, Chris Duke (Lena), Ryan Duke (Vickie), Brandon Edwards (Krista), John Brandon, James Brandon; five great-granddaughters; brother, William Taylor Brandon (Dottie); and a host of nieces and nephews. He loved his family and his home in Varina. Lonnie drove the school bus for three years while a student at Varina High School. Lonnie retired from Lucent Technologies, served as a volunteer firefighter (24 years), was president of Varina Ruritan, Varina High School band boosters, New Outlook Pioneers, Boy Scouts cubmaster, scoutmaster, Trustee of Laurel Hill Methodist Church, served in Virginia Air National Guard for 10 years, served in the Air Force, was a member of Virginia Air Guard Retirees and was a member of American Legion Post 242. He formed the Henrico County Fire Department Safety Program in Henrico County Public Schools. The family would like to give a special thanks to Ascend Hospice for all of the help and support. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Laurel Hill United Methodist Church, 1919 New Market Road, Richmond, Va. 23231. A one hour visitation will be held prior to the service and interment will follow the service in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Laurel Hill United Methodist Church, 1919 New Market Road, Henrico, Va. 23231.