Obituary of Robert Donovan Brazell

Robert Donovan Brazell, aka Bobby Don died on April 17, 2024. He was born February 2, 1932. His parents were Don and Olive Brazell. He was always proud of the fact that he was born in the same house that he was living in before moving to the Veteran’s Home in Silver Bay.

His parents owned Brazell Motor Freight, which is where the CO-OP is now, carrying freight up and down the shore. Bobby Don started driving at 14 years old, well before he had a driver’s license. One of the supplies he carried was beer and he and his friends got caught a couple of times taking a few cases of beer and having a party.

In his later teens his parents sent him the Pillsbury Academy because he was a handful and they thought this would do him good.

He joined the United States Air Force and loved to tell stories of those enlisted days.

In 1957 he married Nancy Bystrom until her passing in April 2015.

In 1966 he spent some time as a deputy sheriff when he was appointed by Emerson Morris.

Bobby Don tried a few other ventures in his life. He started out logging at a young age. He opened Lakeside Repair, which turned into Lakeside Lawn and Rec. Then, he closed the business and opened Bobby Don’s Place for a few years. Car Quest and Superior Logging Supplies came after that, but while he owned these businesses he was still logging and loved every minute of it.

Bobby Don was a logger through and through. It’s pretty much the only thing he was truly passionate about. He always complained there was no money in it, but it didn’t stop him from going out there every day, breakdowns or not. Maybe he loved it so much because he got to log with his son, Mickey and someone he thought of as a son, 100 Proof. (Perry Wilson)

He and Nancy had their special place at Greenwood Lake. The family loved spending time there and did so nearly every weekend in the summers.

Bobby Don has lived at the Silver Bay Veterans Home since August of 2019, and it is where he passed away at the age of 92.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy and son, Donnie.

He is survived by his sister JoAnn Mola, children Mickey (Dee) & Susie (Darrell Splett), Perry Wilson, his grandchildren, Darin (Josie), Jorey (Malorie), Kya Brazell, Harley Splett, Karlie Splett, River Peterson, Morgan Brazell, nieces Sheila Williamson and Linda Williamson.

He had his mock funeral party on his 75th birthday because he didn’t want to have an actual funeral, so there won’t be any services.