Cecil Brannen

Cecil “Lee” Brannen was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas on February 8, 1938, to James M. Brannen and Norma Georgia Sims. He was called away by his Lord on January 11, 2022, while resting peacefully in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Lee married, fathered four sons, and moved with his young family to Southern Idaho. He lived and worked in Burley, Idaho, eventually retiring from Magic Valley Foods. After retirement he settled at West Magic, Idaho where he spent his time fishing, tinkering, and talking with friends. Lee was generally a quiet man, a “Cajun” by blood, with Cajun ways and Cajun beliefs. Lee had to swear off drinking years ago, because he didn’t understand that it wasn’t ok to shoot out the streetlights for no reason, or to kill a car door with a bullet or two ‘just because’.

Most folks didn’t understand Lee, as he wasn’t necessarily easy to understand with his Cajun accent and dry wit. People recognized that he didn’t look like them, talk like them or live like them, so he must be “different”. To the contrary, Lee was one of the smartest, down-to-earth person you could ever meet. His education wasn’t nearly as important to him as his morals, he knew right from wrong, and lived just that way, unless, of course, the whiskey got in the way. He was a simple man with simple needs. He had no interest in material things. He enjoyed caretaking at Burren West then West Magic Resort, doing odd jobs, fixing things, general maintenance and eventually becoming the Head Groundskeeper at West Magic Resort.

He loved cutting and manicuring his lawns, and could always be found on a Monday or Tuesday riding his John Deere doing what he took so much pride in. Never asking for compensation, a cup of coffee and an occasional order of Biscuits and Gravy were all he needed, unless, of course, it was in the afternoon, where a cheeseburger with lettuce and fry sauce would do the trick. He would always ensure that the American Flag was flying in front of his home, and on proper holidays he would adorn the RV Park grounds with rows of Old Glory, the American Flag. He was a true patriot. He had many friends, and seldom forgot a face. He would do anything for you if he found you worthy of it. Lee was always willing to help those who weren’t afraid to help themselves. He made sure that the tenants in the RV Park had what they needed and was often rewarded with a good hot hearty meal for his efforts. He kept an eagle eye out on everything in the Village. Not much happened that he didn’t know about. Lee was religious in his own right, and thanked the lord every morning for another day, and told the lord that if today was his day, he was ready to go with him. Lee will live forever in our hearts and at his “Ranch in the Sky”.

Lee’s last wishes were that no fuss be made over him, rather, he asked that his friends get together, listen to his music, have some food, and share the stories from the Good Times.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in the Spring on the Main Lawn in the RV Park at West Magic Resort.