Olive Branch - David Calvin Brandon, Sr. passed away on December 12, 2020 at Baptist DeSoto Hospital in Southaven, MS. He was born in Henning, TN on Christmas Day 1936 to Henry Poston Brandon and Pauline Hamby Brandon. He attended Henning Elementary School, Henning, TN and Ripley High School, Ripley, TN; the latter from which he graduated in 1954. He then attended Memphis State College (now The University of Memphis) 1954-1956. Member Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In 1956, he began his working career at Allenberg Cotton Company on historic Front Street in Memphis. Allenberg was and is a leader in the purchase and sale of cottons throughout the world. David began as a squidge (cotton classer trainee), then worked as a classer. His strong work ethic soon became evident to his superiors, and in 1962 he was promoted to manager of Allenberg's Phoenix, Arizona office where he worked 1962-1965. During this time, he worked for long periods of time in Mexico handling shipments of Mexican cotton to textile mills worldwide. Upon returning to Allenberg Memphis in 1965, David's positions were: export manager, secretary-treasurer, vice-president, and in 1974 at the age of 37 was elected president of Allenberg. He was first listed in the Who's Who in America, 40th Edition, 1978. In 1982, he left Allenberg and formed his own cotton company, David Brandon Incorporated, which specialized in the purchase and sale of Mexican growth cottons. He was also president of the Mexican companies Algodonera Noroeste S.A., in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, and in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, from 1982 until 1999. He was a member of the Southern Cotton Association (President 1976-77, Director 1974-76); American Cotton Shippers Association (Director 1975-77); New York Cotton Exchange 1974-82); U.S. President's Regional Export Expansion Committee 1972-74. Memphis Cotton Exchange 1978-Present (Director 1981-82); Memphis World Trade Club 1968-82 (Director 1980-81); Liverpool (England) Cotton Association 1970-82 (Director 1979-81); Member and team leader of various U.S. Cotton trade teams to Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America 1966-1983. Former member of Colonial Country Club, and a Life member of The Crescent Club. He was the first U.S. Cotton Executive invited to visit the Peoples Republic of China after President Nixon reestablished relations with China in 1974. He also traveled behind the Iron Curtain to Poland pushing sales of U.S. Cotton. He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife of 43 years and mother of his children, Josephine (Jo) Bilbrey Brandon, and a baby daughter, 3 1/2 year old Katherine Elaine Brandon. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 13 years, Ann Chafin Brandon, son David Calvin Brandon, Jr. (Suzanne), daughter Elizabeth (Lisa) Brandon Gordon (Paul), and son William (Bill) Wildman Brandon (Mary Kate). He leaves three stepsons, Scott Chafin (Patty), Allan Chafin, and Bradley Chafin (Colleen). He leaves nine grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, two greatgrandchildren and two step-greatgrandchildren. He also leaves his brother Billy Poston Brandon (Betsy) of Ripley, Tennessee. Due to the current health conditions and the family's concern for others, there will be a private funeral service followed by a burial at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue in Memphis. (Published in The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN, on Dec. 15, 2020)