Robert Brannon Estis, also known as Mr. Brannon, was born at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippine Islands on December 4, 1968 and died on November 2, 2021 in Springfield, Missouri. For the numerically challenged, he was 52 years old, just one month shy of his 53^rd birthday.

He was proceeded in death by his father Robert B. Estis and is survived by his mother Suellen Prater Trull and his sister Crystal Victoria Smith and her husband Jon. He is also survived by his wife Tedra Elizabeth Estis and the two lights of his life, Jacob Lane Eden and Lauren Elizabeth McQuerter.

Brannon also leaves behind the entire Prater family in Alabama, his aunt Troyce and Marty Gottwald, his aunt Verona Moore, his uncle Howard and Barbara Prater, his uncle Mark and Norma Prater, his uncle John and Dorothy Prater, his uncle Gary and Margaret Prater. Growing up, his cousins were like his siblings, including Eddie Wayne, Tommy, Jackie, Maria, Heather, Terry, Tiffany, Brandon, Bethany, Misty, Michael, Darren, Shawn, and Amber.

He claims the crazy neighbors next door, Mike and Ramona Myers, AKA Nan and Grampies and their kids Tim and his wife Amy, Mary Beth and Allison as family. Nan and Grampies’ grandchildren, Michaela and her husband Donald, Dakota, Levi, Brady and Ashlyn were children to Brannon and Tedra for the past 13 years and were taken on many family vacations. Many holidays and birthday weekends were spent in Nan’s kitchen over the years.

Brannon was an avid reader and read everything from classical literature to modern day fantasy to political criticisms. He also enjoyed his time in God’s Holy Word. He spent many hours in the kitchen perfecting smoked meat loaf, guacamole, biscuits and gravy, and his newest love of relish, pepper jellies, and hot sauce.

He served in the United States Army from 1991 to 1997 as a Military Police Officer-K9 Unit and Military Police Intelligence. He had a tour of duty in Seoul, South Korea where he served protection detail for Air Force One and President George H. W. Bush in South Korea and was deployed to Panama and Honduras as well.

Brannon graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in English in 1997 from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. After graduation, he was in career sales for 10 years. He established his own photography company in 2009 and rounded out his career teaching Classical Literature, history, and photography at Gloria Deo Academy, teaching 7-12^th grades.

Brannon LOVED his students; this cannot be emphasized enough. Mr. Estis prided himself on self-reflection and improvement, always questioning and reevaluating his own set of values. He expected the same of his students and instilled in them a dedication for challenging their beliefs. He always wanted them to think critically, and to think for themselves. Mr. Estis was passionate about “not being spoon fed by the media,” and was lucky that he was never fired for his political rhetoric.

Brannon’s best days were spent at home with his wife, his kids, and his dogs (ok, the cats too, but only reluctantly). He dedicated his entire life to animal rescue, saving more than a dozen dogs and countless cats during his life time. Brannon was happy to run the household for the comfort and convenience of his family and pets.

He will be missed by all; his students, his friends, his family and the 4-legged animals that sought comfort in his lap. To that end, donations in Brannon’s memory can be made to RescueOne or CARE.

It must be noted that his wife wrote this obituary, and it is not lost on anyone that he is cringing, editing, re-editing, cringing some more, and trying desperately to forgive the desecration of the King’s English in this writing. In ending, his family would like to leave you with one of his favorite quotes, “Fear is the mind killer.” ~Frank Herbert.