BRENDEL, COLONEL JO, of Louisville, KY, passed away in the early hours of Monday, May 24, 2010, while visiting Austin, TX with his family for the graduation of two of his granddaughters from the University of Texas.
Jo was born March 20, 1931 in Los Angeles, CA to Louis and Emelyn Brendel. He spent most of his childhood in Fairfield, Connecticut, graduating from Roger Ludlow High School. He received his undergraduate degree in 1954 from the United States Naval Academy where he was a member of the 1954 national champion lacrosse team. He received his graduate degree in 1961 from the University of Chicago.
Jo served over 20 years in the United States Air Force. His career led him to various assignments within the states and abroad. His first assignment was at Patrick AFB in Cocoa Beach, Florida followed by assignments at Edwards AFB in the Mohave Desert, Space Systems in Los Angeles, CA, Hickam AFB in Honolulu, HI, several assignments in Washington DC, Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH, and his final assignment was the commanding officer of AFROTC at the University of Louisville. He also served in Vietnam.
After military retirement, Jo spent several years working at the Better Business Bureau, and as interim director of the Louisville Visual Art Association.
A member of St. Matthews Episcopal Church, he served on the vestry four terms; he also traveled to Ghana representing his church in an exchange program. He was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity for 20 years. His other commitments included Kentucky Harvest and Reading for the Blind.
He is survived by his wife, Marcia Ann Leiss, who was also from Fairfield, CT; daughter, Marilyn Brendel Brooks (Terry) of Houston, TX; son, Greg Brendel and daughter Lisa Brendel Ewen, both of whom reside in Anchorage, KY; sister, Janet Brendel Montgomery (Richard) of Darien, CT; grandchildren, Kathryn and Christina Brooks, Matthew Brendel, Wilson and Katie Ewen.
Visitation will be 4 p.m. on Friday, June 4, 2010, at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 330 Hubbards Lane with memorial service following at 5:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthews Episcopal Church or Habitat for Humanity.
1 comment:
We're delighted to be honoring Gene. If anyone would like to purchase a spot in the program to have a message for Gene, please go here: http://secure.mycart.net/catalogs/index.asp?catid=38291&fileID=341079
(You may have to copy and paste that into the address line.)
Thank you.
Kim Lovejoy
Military Heritage Museum
klovejoy@FreedomIsntFree.org
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