1928-2021
Van Eldon Brimhall passed away suddenly at his home on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at the age of 92. “Doc,” as he preferred to be called, was born in Jacksboro, Texas on Nov. 29, 1928. Upon his passing, he was returned to the town of his birth to lie in rest beside his beloved mother.
Van’s humble beginnings, along with his mother’s encouragement, gave him a drive to succeed and become the best he could be. At age 16, with high school graduation behind him, high hopes, and $50 in his pocket, he hopped a freight train west to California, the land where dreams were made. His cousin Tom Russell and wife Sue provided a caring home so Van could begin college classes. He worked as a commuter bus driver for students, where he met and fell in love with the pretty young Lois Marie Harper. Throughout his young adult years “Miss Sue” continued to be an enthusiastic supporter, both of Van’s education as well as for his choice to marry that pretty lady. This past December, Van and Lois celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.