Dennis Marlin Brannen, 85, of Damascus passed away on Saturday, October 18, 2008. Born in Thomaston, Georgia, he was the eldest of fifteen children born to Dennis C. and Maybelle (Daniels) Brannen. He was an Army veteran who served during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Dennis was a structural engineer having earned his degree at the University of Houston. During his career he worked on the construction of Disney World in Orlando, FL. He was a member of the Greenbrier Church of Christ; three Masonic Lodges: Lodge 471 at Damascus, Lodge 617 at Choctaw and the Pleasant Grove Lodge at Scotland, AR; a member of the Damascus Eastern Star, and the Arabian Knight Shriners. On May 24, 2006, he received the "Pillars of Solomon Award" from the Doric Lodge #471, had recently received his 50 year pin from the Eastern Star, and his 50 year service award from the Scottish Rite just five days before his passing.

Dennis is survived by his wife Mary of Damascus; seven children: Denise Weenig and Marsha Fowler both of Baton Rouge, LA, Brenda Barefield of Hawthorne, FL, Sally Carey of Wales, UK; Eight sisters: Frances Galbrith of Corpus Christi, TX, Dorothy Davidson of Green Valley, AZ, Barbara Porche of New Rhodes, LA, Arlene Reed of UT, Martha Edwards of Dallas, TX, Jane Wagner of Conroe, TX, Linda Manual of Mamou, LA and Patsy Hembree of Las Vagas, NV; three brothers: Howard Brannen of Cocoa, FL, Jack Brannen of San Diego, CA and John Brannen of Charlotte, SC; seventeen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by the mother of his girls, M. Jean Brannen; aforementioned parents; a son Michael; a daughter Susan; a great-grandson Donovan; two brothers Tom and Rex and one sister Nina Bishop.

Services in Arkansas will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 21, at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Greenbrier. Visitation will be held on Monday, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Texas graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, at Garden Park Cemetery in Conroe, TX. Visitation in Texas will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe, TX.