Haden Brashier

After a rich and meaningful life, Haden Talmadge "T" Brashier, Jr. went home to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017. "T" passed away at home attended by his loving family. He was the son of the late H.T. and Camille Brashier.
A 1939 graduate of Sherman High School in Sherman, Texas, "T" attended Austin College for two years. Then, in the fall of 1941, he transferred to Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas. After the December 7 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, "T" enlisted in the Army Air Corps, where he served until the end of the war in the Alaskan theater of Operations. Following his discharge, he formed an aviation training company, specifically intended for veterans who could take their pilot training using their GI benefits. At the same time, he joined the local Air Force reserve unit, and was called to service at the outbreak of the Korean War. During this time, he instructed the first generation of Air Force jet pilots.
Upon discharge for the Air Force in 1953, "T" became a representative for stock brokerage firm Eppler, Guerin, and Turner, a member firm on the New York Stock Exchange. "T" was always one who wanted more action, and so, in 1957 he left the brokerage business and joined Union Oil of California as a float plane pilot, flying between its base in Lafayette, LA and the company's oil rigs in the Gulf.
In late 1957, "T" returned to the brokerage business for five years in Abilene, followed by three years in Dallas. During this time, "T" became an accomplished polo player and competed in Texas area leagues.
In January of 1966, "T" was recruited for Air America, a company contracted by the CIA to fly from Saigon, Vietnam, throughout the region, protecting American interests not authorized by the US Military. Pilots and their aircraft were unarmed, and casualties were inevitable. Seeing that this was not going to end well, "T" returned to the United States.
After his return to the US, "T" joined Hancock Manufacturing in Lubbock, TX, as its corporate pilot. In 1967 Hancock was sold to Clark Equipment, and Clark acquired Hancock's aircraft as well as "T", its pilot. Over the next many years, "T", now the chief pilot for Clark, built up the company's aviation department to consist of a fleet of business jets, turboprop aircraft, and an executive helicopter. In 1982, "T" retired to Slidell, LA then to Diamondhead, continuing to pursue his passions of golf, and hunting and fishing trips to the Rocky Mountains. He spent several seasons in Alaska as a bush pilot, flying fishing expeditions to remote areas of the Alaskan Wilderness.
"T" touched many people along the way. He was a man of faith, an active and influential member of the church and served as a Deacon for the First Baptist Church of Diamondhead. "T" had a broad circle of caring and devoted friends. He was always at home in any situation with any type of person and was often "the life of the party." One of his most willing qualities was that he could always make friends and family laugh with his quick wit and numerous "T-isms." He enriched many lives and will be deeply missed by all that knew him.
Surviving is his wife of 63 years, Nancy Brashier; three children, Linda Sue Karger (husband Rex) of Diamondhead, Thomas Brashier (wife Donna) of Charles Town, WV, and Richard Brashier (wife Lu Ella) of Fayetteville, PA; four grandchildren, Kelly Norvell Eleazer (husband Nathan), Elizabeth Norvell Simkus (husband John), Melissa Brashier, and Paul Brashier.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm at the Diamondhead Community Church. The funeral service will be at 12:30 pm in the church. Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery.
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 9113 Kiln DeLisle Rd., is serving the family and an online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com