Writing
community remembers Cody Brandon
by
Jenny Nicholson
Reporter
Cody
Brandon, a 17-year-old, who in the course of his
much too short life, touched the hearts of everyone
who met him.
At
the age of 14 Cody found he had a flair for
writing. His mother, Cindy, didn't want his talents
to go unnoticed so she made a call to the
Greenbush Tribune and spoke to the editor.
He said he'd let Cody try writing an article for
them. Since that day, about three years ago, Cody
has written a column in the Greenbush
Tribune every week. He also writes for the
New River Record of Middle River and
Newfolden as well as his high school publication,
the Chomper.
Last
year, Cody was featured in The Times/Northern
Watch because Cody's words reached out to touch
all those who read his work. It wasn't uncommon for
him to open his mail and find notes of thanks and
encouragement.
One
special piece of his that caught the attention of
many in the area was one he wrote about Memorial
Day and immortalizing the heros that most people
take for granted in everyday life. He remembered,
when many forget, to say "thank you" to the men and
womend who fought and sacrificed their lives during
wartime.
Cody
was also an outdoor enthusiast. Hunting, fishing
and camping were among his favorite hobbies. He had
a column in his high school paper called "Cody's
Outdoor Section." His dreams of becoming a writer
for an outdoor magazine became more realistic with
every word he wrote.
Cody
lived his life every day with a smile. He was
always looking for a good storm to chase. He loved
animals and he adored his nephew and two nieces.
His love for family and the children may have been
what prompted his last article in the New River
Record. Because of recents events concerning
the safety of children and child abductions, Cody's
article "Gone Away!" warned parents and families to
be aware of the people children encounter. He
stated that he worries for the safety of his nephew
and nieces.
The
last words Cody ever published, the haunting last
sentence of his article read - "The whole world
changes with the loss of a child."
And
so it will. The world seems just a little bit
smaller now, but the words he wrote will last
forever and his memory will never fade. Cody will
be dearly missed by everyone who knew him and even
by those who didn't.
After
suffering severe injuries after an accident last
Saturday night, he died on Sunday, August 11, 2002
at Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, N.D.
Cody
Harold Merton Brandon was born on September 20,
1984, the son of Scott and Cindy (Hutchinson)
Brandon, in Thief River Falls. He was baptized and
confirmed at Our Savior's Church in Thief
Lake.
Cody
grew up and attended school in Greenbush and Middle
River, where he would have been a senior this fall.
He also worked at Fleet Supply in Thief River
Falls.
Those
who are left to remember Cody fondly include his
parents, Scott and Cindy of Middle River; three
brothers, Jamey (fiancé, Heather) of
Greenbush, Tony (Elizabeth) of Wannaska, and
Michael (friend, Megan) of Greenbush; two sisters,
Leslie (David) Sondreal of Grand Forks, N.D. and
LeAnn (Brant) Hagen of Kindred, N.D.; his two
nieces, Grace and Piper, and his nephew, Austin;
grandparents, Harold and Jean Brandon of Middle
River and Merton Hutchinson of Thief River Falls;
his great-grandfather, Carl Burrell of Thief River
Falls; and many aunts, uncles and
cousins.
Cody
was preceded in death by his grandmother, Jaunita
Hutchinson and an uncle, Mark Halvorson.
Visitation
will be on Wednesday, August 14 from 4 to 8 p.m. at
Johnson-Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls
with a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will also
take place for one hour prior to services at the
school on Thursday.
Funeral
ser 
vices
for Cody will be held on Thursday, August 15 at 10
a.m. at the Middle River School with Reverend
Sandra Hollands and Father Don Brockman
officiating. Coleen Telander will play the piano
and Randy Jo Halvorson will be the soloist. Musical
selections will include "The Dance" and "On Eagles
Wings." Special music will be provided by the
Sunday School children as they will sing "Jesus
Loves Me." Casketbearers will be Jake Schenkey,
Cody Severts, Brittney Schenkey, Erin Schenkey,
Camille Bruggeman, Adam Anderson, Andrew Anderson
and Dani Peterson. Honorary casketbearers will be
Cody's classmates from the class of 2003, his
teachers and his cousins. Interment will be in the
Thief Lake Cemetery in Thief Lake Township,
Marshall County.
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