Obituary of Brannin James Beeks

Brannin James Beeks was taken too soon by a tragic accident that occurred on April 26, 2018 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.  

Brannin was born September 13,1974 in Goldendale, Washington, to James D. and Bonnie B. Beeks.  He grew up on the family farm located in the rolling hills of Roosevelt, Washington, along the Columbia River—a third generation on the 7D Ranch, the home place.  There he developed a lifelong love of the outdoors.

Brannin graduated from Goldendale High School in 1993 and, to the delight of his parents, went on to attend Washington State University.  He graduated from WSU in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Systems Engineering, after four years as a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity.  Brannin earned the designation of Licensed Professional Engineer and later earned an Executive MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University in 2013.

Brannin’s career in construction supervision and engineering took him around the world.  He was passionate about his work in deep foundations, shoring, environmental and marine construction.  Brannin’s mastery of his field is evident in his list of accomplishments.  He was the lead engineer/project manager for innumerable efforts in the Pacific Northwest and Puerto Rico and more recently including the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh; the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in Connecticut; the Jefferson Memorial Seawall in Washington, DC; the Moses Wheeler Bridge in Connecticut; an expansion to Columbia University and the Goethals Bridge in New York City; and the P66 Bayway Refinery Dock Rehabilitation in New Jersey.  He had recently spearheaded a new endeavor and was instrumental in creating North American Aggregates for Weeks Marine.

Brannin married his soul mate and best friend, Dr. Susan Mary Wang, on October 8, 2011.  He and Susan located in Fairfield, Connecticut, and welcomed children in 2012, 2014 and 2016.  Brannin was a dedicated and enthusiastic husband and father, and delighted in spending time with his family.  He returned frequently to Roosevelt to tromp his young family through the fields and orchard of his youth.

Brannin is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jessie and Dewey Beeks; Benjamin and Lela Bush and Mary Frances Ormandy and by his aunt, Nancy Birch.

Brannin is survived by his wife, Susan Wang Beeks, daughter Alexa Mey (5) and sons, Max Wang (3) and Benjamin Brannin (1).  He is also survived by his parents, James D. and Bonnie B. Beeks; sister, Celeste (Cecee) Mastin and her husband Christopher Mastin; sister, Bianca (Billie) Beeks and her husband, Alan Moore; nephews, Carson Mastin, Hamilton Wang and Teddy Wang; nieces, Cori Mastin and Taylor Wang; aunts, Melissa Van Beck and Darcy Taylor; and cousins, Michal Stewart, Tracy Bush and Michele Vowell.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew his strength of character, sense of humor, resourcefulness and mental toughness.  His zest for life was epic and manifested in family fireworks shows, garden abundance, feverish football loyalties (Seattle Seahawks and WSU Cougars, of course), endless road trips, family outings and a relentless drive to improve and be improved.

Calling hours will be held on Friday from 4-8 PM in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center. On Saturday at 11 AM, friends are invited to join his family in the funeral home to celebrate Brannin's life, with the Reverend David Rowe officiating. Additional services will be held next week in Goldendale, Washington, where he will be buried.

His family would prefer contributions in memory of Brannin Beeks to either: the Klickitat Valley Education Trust (www.klickitatvalleyeducationtrust.com) or the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine- Medical Education Founders Fund (https://medicine.wsu.edu/give/) .

For travel directions or to sign his guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com.