James William Brant

Mar. 3, 1941 - Dec. 11, 2015

James William Brant, 74 passed away peacefully with family by his side Dec. 11, 2015 in Carson City, NV, following a seven year battle with cancer. Jim was born Mar. 3, 1941 in Indianapolis, IN, the oldest son of Frederic M. and Ellen A. (Lloyd) Brant. He grew up in Norwich and Oxford, NY, graduating from Oxford Academy High School in 1959. He returned to Indiana to attend college and it was there that he met Nancy K. Dreher. They were married in 1962 in Terre Haute, IN and would have celebrated their 54th anniversary next month. Jim earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University in 1964 and began his teaching career at North Hardin County High School in Vine Grove, KY. He taught math, coached football and started the wrestling program; his wrestlers placed third in the state in 1966. Returning again to Indiana, Jim taught math at Liberty High School and Liberty Middle School in Porter County. He also coached wrestling, football, basketball, volleyball and golf. Along the way he earned a master’s degree from Valparaiso University in 1972 and a PhD from Columbia Pacific University in 1992. He “retired” in 1993 after 31 years of teaching. In 1994 Jim came to Carson City to work for the Nevada Department of Education as State Mathematics Consultant, a position that he held until his retirement in 2004. In college Jim was a member and president of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity and was twice named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. As an educator he was a member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association, NEA, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Association of State Supervisors of Mathematics, Northern Nevada Math Council and was president of the Nevada Mathematics Council for three years. Two of his memorable adventures were teaching one summer in New Zealand and another at the Arkansas governor’s School. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Ted. He is survived by wife Nancy, two sons, J. Eric (Traci) Valparaiso, IN and Kelly (Lynette) Dayton, NV, and daughter Christie Barnes, Reno, NV. He is also survived by grandchildren Lauren and Nicholas Brant, Ashly and Brandon Barnes; great grandson Elijah Partida, step- grandchildren Andrea (Andrew) Boucher, Derek and Tyler Jackson; brother Jerry (Shirley) Brant, sister-in-law Marie Brant, brother-in-law Kenneth (Jane) Dreher and six nieces and nephews. Jim loved sports and was an avid golfer, playing regularly at Eagle Valley Golf Course where he had a hole in one in 2010. He was first and foremost a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He lived life to the fullest, always with a positive attitude, compassion and integrity. He touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed. A private family service was held Dec. 15, 2015 with cremation following. The family would like to thank Dr. Craig Rau, the ER staff and the 3rd floor A nursing staff at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center for their compassionate care of Jim during his final days. Autumn Funerals and Cremations, Carson City was in care of arrangements.