Orville Carl Brando, 87 of Early, Texas passed away Sunday, September 22, 2024. A Celebration of Life service will be held at The Early Church, 1023 Early Blvd., Early, Texas 76802 at 1:00 PM, Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Orville was born May 14, 1937 in Pittsburg, CA to Orville and Charleen Brando. He graduated high school and attended a technical college. He married Kathy Jean Siders in Ceres, California on November 27, 1982. Orville grew up by the beach in Monterey, CA where his love for the beach started. He worked 27 years at Del Monte / Tri Valley growers in Modesto, CA traveling all over the world to set up cannery production lines and make them run smoothly. Kathy said in 41 years of being married, they lived in California, South Dakota twice, Wyoming twice, Kansas, Wisconsin and Texas twice. Orville ran horse tracks, dog tracks, maintenance consulting and managing many fairs. His favorite sport was fishing, loved hunting, dirt bike riding, snow skiing, water skiing and scuba diving. Orville met the love of his life country western dancing in Ceres, CA which led to Orville and Kathy teaching dance classes together. He loved the beach and they took many trips to Dillons Beach in California free diving for Abalone, digging for horse neck clams and crabbing which led to many scuba diving trips in foreign countries. Had a full life and loved to make people laugh. He held the honor of being 1998 state fair manager of the year in 5 states and Canada.
Orville is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy Brando of Early; daughter, Terri Fontana of Tennessee; sons, Tim Brando and wife Shelley of Powell, Wyoming & Brian and Kim Brando of Brownwood, Texas; adopted daughter, Leslie and Charles Jinkins of Dumas, Texas; sisters-in-law, Shirley & Alan Mielke, Linda Smoot & Ann Wiedrich all of South Dakota; grandchildren, Vito and Bonnie Fontana, Gino Fontana, Amy and Tommy Henley of Tennessee, Zach and Tiffany Brando of Powell, Wyoming, Kaitlyn and Tim Peevy of Brownwood, Michael and Laura Fowler of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Shane and Megan Fowler of Early, Texas; great grandkids, Kayla Jinkins of Dumas, TX, Rocco & Giana, Leo & Micah of Tennessee, Carter & Kinzlee, Ryan, Noah, Addison, Raleigh & Cooper of Texas, Logan, Abigail, Aubrey & Clayton all of Oklahoma; nieces, Michelle Meyers & Kristy Franzo; nephew, Bryan and Tina Wildberger all of South Dakota and many friends.
Orville was preceded in death by his father, Orville Brando; mother, Charleen Valnizza and his step dad, Lester Tony Valnizza, son, Rick Brando; son-in-law, Grank Fontana; brothers, Tony Valnizza and Gary Valnizza; sister, Joyce Abruzzini, father and mother-in-law, Stanley & Lavern Siders, and grandson, Seth Drew who passed away serving our country.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to The Early Church in at 1023 Early, Blvd, Early, Texas 76802.
Online Condolences can be shared with the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
