Lane Hiram Brabham

Lane Hiram Brabham, 93, of Callaway, Nebraska, passed away Friday, May 30, 2014, at the Callaway Good Life Center. Lane was born at Mercy Hospital in Denver, Colorado, on December 14, 1920, to Clarence F. and Laura Merle (Idell) Brabham. Lane attended school at Callaway and graduated May 18, 1939. He then went on to Kearney State Teacher’s College where he played the clarinet in the college band. Lane had a passion for aviation and took flying lessons and got his pilot’s license in 1940, while attending college. Lane worked for the Union Pacific Railroad before he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his time in the Navy Lane traveled all over the world. Lane met his future wife, Isabel Agnes Gundaker in California while serving in the Navy. They were married April 2, 1944, in Los Angeles, California. Lane was Honorably Discharged from the Navy on October 12, 1945, as an Aviation Machinists Mate Second Class. After Lane’s discharge from the Navy, he worked in California in aviation maintenance and repair until 1961, when he and Isabel moved to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Lane continued in aviation but got his license from the Coast Guard to operate passenger vessels in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. He then was a boat captain on charter vessels that took passengers deep sea fishing. Lane and Isabel spent 1963 on Canton Island where they ran a hotel for the British. In 1970, Lane and Isabel moved back to the states where they lived in Apple Valley, California until the early 1980’s, while there Lane worked for both Lockheed and Douglas Aviation. After retiring they traveled extensively throughout the United States in their motorhome with their dog, Baby. They spent time in Callaway in the summer months and traveled the rest of the year. Later years they enjoyed golfing together at the Callaway Golf Course. Lane was a life-time member of the Callaway American Legion Bryson Booker Post #59, and a member of the former Callaway Episcopal Church. Lane is survived by niece, Terie (Neil) Farren of Dallas, Texas; step-niece, Tonie (Eddie) Southard of Wichita, Kansas; sister-in-law, Ruth Gundaker of Reno, Nevada; along with many of Isabel’s nieces and nephews. Lane was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Isabel of 66 years; brother, Dick (Toad) Brabham of Wichita, Kansas; brothers-in-law, Jack and Walter Gundaker; and sisters-in-law, Vera, Lucy and Irene. Cremation was chosen. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 6, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. at the Callaway Good Life Center Social Room with the Reverend Mary Jane Gockley officiating. Memorials are suggested to Callaway Good Life Center. Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is honored to be in charge of arrangements. To share online condolences please visit: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.