Robert "Jim" James Brainard

Robert James "Jim" Brainard, 77, of Greeley, CO passed away into eternal life on March 1, 2019 from health complications due to a stroke in February 2018. Jim was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on November 15, 1941 to Robert Eugene Brainard and Ruth Elma (Ramey) Brainard, both of whom have preceded him in death. He met his future wife, Linda Marie Brammer, while they were in their high school production of "Oklahoma”.  They were high school sweethearts and were married on February 4, 1961, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Jim worked many jobs in his early years including Ambulance Attendant, Grocery Store Clerk, and yard attendant. For over thirty years, he proudly worked his way up the ladder in the telecommunications industry. He retired in 1992 as the State Quality Control Engineer. After retirement, Jim and Linda owned and operated several small businesses in northern Colorado. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are daughter Kathleen Marie (Brainard) Hof and husband Scott A. Hof of Burien, Washington; his son Robert James Brainard Jr. and wife Trina Marie (Bianchi) Brainard of Plano, Texas. Jim and Linda have 5 grandchildren: John Lucas Bergquist and wife Alta of West Seattle, WA; Abigail Marie (Bergquist) Armstead and husband Jeremiah of Auburn, WA; Travis James Hof of Burien, WA; SSGT Ashley Anne (Hof) Gray and husband SSGT Joseph Forest Gray of Menifee, CA; Taylor Marie (Brainard) Blazek and husband Bryan Patrick Blazek of Ankeny, Iowa.  Additionally, they have 4 great-grandchildren including twins Amiah Ann-Marie Armstead and Jalen Dwayne Armstead of Auburn, WA; Henley-Grace Elizabeth Gray and Joseph Forest Gray Jr. of Menifee, CA. Jim’s passion was home remodeling.  He and Linda had flipped more than 30 homes while raising their family in Iowa and Colorado. He was a voracious reader and was always inquisitive and full of ideas.  He loved outdoor cooking and sharing his labor of love with friends and neighbors. He was a proud "fur dad” to Bear #1, Bear #2, Barney and Tucker.  He will be most remembered for his generosity of time, friendship and his sense of humor.  Memorial Services following cremation will be held at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Loveland at 11AM on Saturday, March 9th, 2019.  The family invites you to come and honor Jim and to join them for fellowship at the church following the service. Memorial Contributions may be made to Pathways Hospice, Fort Collins https://pathways-care.org/giving/give/, or The National or American  Stroke Association @ donatenow.heart.org/stroke or any charity of your choice.