Calvin Brannan, 97, of St. Petersburg passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026 in his apartment at The Princess Martha, surrounded by his family and friends, under the care of Suncoast Hospice. Born to Blanche and Robert Brannan in New Orleans, LA in 1928, Calvin spent much of his adventurous childhood traveling up and down the Mississippi River on the paddlewheel steamship--The General John Newton--with his father, Army Corps of Engineers Captain Robert Brannan. In his teen years during WWII, Calvin continued his adventures as an interstate truck driver. In 1948, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he would serve with the last American forces to leave China before the communist takeover,. He also served at the 1950 Inchon Landing in Korea, as well as the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, where he earned multiple commendations.

Calvin met and married Chieko Fukuhara in 1955 in Yokohama, Japan. As, “The Marine Corps is no place for a married man,” he resigned from the Marine Corps and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on the same day. With Chieko at his side, Calvin went on to raise three children in both the U.S. and Japan, having served as the flight-line chief at Yokota A.F.B. during the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant, Calvin began an entirely new career with the U.S. Postal Service and retired from there in 1996. He continued to financially support many veterans causes, including DAV, Blinded Veterans, Wounded Warriors, etc.

Upon Chieko’s passing, Calvin moved to The Princess Martha active senior living in 2017, where he charmed everyone he encountered and entertained anyone who was interested with stories of his amazingly adventurous life. He was named Resident of the Month in September 2018 and was known as both a bingo fanatic and “The (jigsaw) Puzzle King” by staff, residents, visitors, and friends.

Calvin was preceded in death by his wife, Chieko in 2016 and his son, Dale Brannan in 1985. He is survived by his daughters, Linda Clements (Donald) and Connie Macas (Paul), and one grandchild, Maya Macas.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Princess Martha, 411 1st Ave N, St Petersburg, FL 33701 on Thursday, February 5th at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Suncoast Hospice Foundation 5771 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33760-9962