Brandon Charles Call

Brandon Call, age 39, of Iola, Kansas passed away August 6, 2020, at his residence in Iola.

Brandon was born in Wichita, Kansas on June 18, 1981. He was the second of two sons born to Dona Call and Steven Gorrell. At 3 years of age, Brandon, his older brother, Eric and mother moved to Chanute, Kansas to live his with grandparents, Don and Lucy Wilson while his mother started college for nursing at NCCC. Don and Lucy remained an influential part of Brandon’s life throughout his years in Chanute. In March of 1986, Brandon’s mother married Dave Call and graduated from NCCC with an Associate Degree in Nursing the following May. The family lived in Chanute where Brandon and his brother attended school at Chanute Christian Academy and the family attended church at Living Word Assembly of God. Dave adopted both boys in January of 1988. He earned pocket money while in school, first, as a paperboy for the Chanute Tribune and then working at McDonald's. In May of 1999, Brandon graduated from Chanute Christian Academy, he then joined the National Guard in September.

Brandon completed basic training in November of 1999 at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He then moved to Maryland to complete his training in welding, a skill chosen because of the influence of his uncle, Dan Call. Upon completion of his training in the National Guard, Brandon moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to work with his uncle, Don Wilson Jr., in his machine shop. Under Don’s guidance, Brandon attended the Tulsa Welding School, where he earned his degree in welding.

In September of 2004, Brandon received the call to active duty, and returned to Iola to report to HHC 891st ENG BN. He received further training at Ft. Sills, Oklahoma and was deployed to Iraq in December of 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Once in Iraq, Brandon was reassigned to monitor communications and assisting with the collection and dissemination of information in the Tactical Operations Center. While deployed, Brandon was promoted to Private First Class and earned the Army Achievement Medal, which recognized him for his ability to proficiently operate and teach the use of surveying instruments even though he had not had formal training. He also received the ARMY Commendation Medal for his devotion to accomplishing the mission, technical readiness and soldier training ability that set him high above his peers.

He returned to Iola in December of 2005. Once home, Brandon developed a nomadic way of life, often filled with friendships, love affairs and adventures. He kept himself independent, living life under his own terms, with an eye on others, willing to offer a helping hand if he could. In February of 2020, Brandon returned to Iola, where he enjoyed spending time with his brother, Eric. He loved their jam sessions playing guitars and Sunday afternoon barbecues. His return to Iola afforded Brandon and his mother time to drive through the country and enjoy picnics in the park.

Brandon is preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Betty Gorrell, William Call, and Don and Lucy Wilson.

He is survived by his grandmother Jeannine Call, his parents Dona and Dave Call, his brother Eric Call, and numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces, and Nephews.

Brandon will be laid to rest at 1:00 PM, on Saturday, August 29, 2020 in the Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church cemetery close by his Grandparents Don and Lucy Wilson, Pineville, Arkansas. Memorial contributions in Brandon’s honor may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project ( https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=10043&ovr_acv_id=4320 ) or left in care the funeral home.