Michael Landers Brant passed away January 11, 2021 in Great Falls, Montana at the age of 92 where he had been living the past two years. A funeral service in honor of Mike will be held Saturday January 23, 2021 at 1pm at Merrill Presbyterian Church and followed with a graveside internment service at the Merrill IOOF Cemetery. The funeral service may be streamed via facebook.com/merrillpc.
Mike was born July 20th, 1928 in Portland Oregon to Harry and Bernice Brant and spent his youth in school and doing various odd jobs until leaving high school one year early to join the US Navy in service during the World War II era. While in the Navy Mike served first at the Naval Supply Center, then transferred to a mine sweeper as the radio operator in the South Pacific.
After leaving the Navy Mike took odd jobs in the Portland area including a motorcycle delivery service for food. In the winter of 1953 Mike had the fortune of meeting his soon to be bride Laura Lou Hill while on a YMCA snow skiing outing at Mt. Hood. Mike and Laura were married in the Merrill Presbyterian Church on April 16th, 1955 and celebrated 62 years of marriage before Laura’s passing.
Mike worked for United Airlines in downtown Portland in the 1960’s and started law school at Lewis and Clark in 1964 and graduated in 1968 and he and Laura had two sons Steve and Jeffrey. After graduation, the Brants relocated to the Hill family ranch in Merrill, Oregon where they eventually built a home on the hill overlooking the beautiful basin and Mount Shasta. Mike started a private law practice and served as a Deputy District Attorney and then District Court Judge in Klamath County. After serving in these roles Mike returned to private practice and enjoyed the challenge of assisting in litigating two landmark cases one against Ford Motor Co and another against the makers of Dalcon shield. He held litigation credentials for both the Oregon Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court. These roles suited him well as he loved both negotiating and arguing on any topic!
Mike was an active member of the Shriners and enjoyed riding his mule in the High Dessert Patrol. He and Laura enjoyed travels which included the Panama Canal and many snow birding and RV trips around the US including a trek to Alaska and back. Mike retired in the mid 90’s and the Brants lived at Cove Point, Harbor Links and Crystal Terrace. Two years ago, after Laura’s death, Mike moved to Montana to be near Steve and Jennifer Brant.
In his younger years Mike was an avid water skier, once skiing from Oregon City to Portland. Mike and Laura loved fishing and frequented the Oregon coast as well as many other local rivers and lakes including an annual trek to the Snake River to catfish. Mike, Laura, and Laura's brother David Hill adventured to Namibia, Africa on Safari and brought back many trophies, hundreds of pictures, and wonderful memories. Mike loved storytelling, family time and being involved in the community.
Michael Landers Brant is survived by brothers-in-law Dean, Bill, and David Hill; sisters-in-law Connie, Shirley, Sandy, and Nancy; son Steven Hill Brant and wife Jennifer, son Jeff and wife Kris; and grandchildren Jessica, Jarrett, Kamron, Justin, Justin, Greg, Emily, and Clay, Casey; great grandchildren Eleanor, Rachel, and Ian as well as numerous nieces, and nephews.
Donations in memorial may be made to: Shriners Hospitals for Children, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. Portland, OR 97239 https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/portland/ways-to-give