John Earl Brandon, MD, of Gordo, Alabama, died on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the age of 74. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 5th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Skelton Funeral Home in Reform, AL. A private burial service will be held at a later date.

John is survived by his son, Walker Daniel Brandon of Gordo; his daughters, Brooke Lindsey Brandon of Denver, CO and Hannah Claire Brandon of Tracy, CA; his sister, Lynn Brandon Johnson and brother-in-law, Charles Eugene “Chuck” Johnson, Jr. of Lookout Mountain, GA; and his niece, Elizabeth Johnson Haley and her husband, Heath Haley, and their children, Harrison and Mary Brandon Haley. John was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Brandon, Jr and Marion Powell Brandon.

John grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL, graduating from Tuscaloosa High School in 1970. In 1974, he graduated from Davidson College, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. After graduating from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1978, John completed his internship and residency in Family Medicine at the University of Alabama's College of Community Health Sciences. John began his practice of family medicine in 1981 in Gordo, Alabama, and continued his medical career there for over 40 years.

John loved his career as a primary care physician in a small, rural community. He inspired countless other young medical residents through his teaching and leadership as the medical director of The Rural Medical Scholars Program at the University of Alabama. In 2026, the Rural Medical Scholars’ Sage Award, which is an annual honor that recognizes significant contributions to rural health, was renamed the Dr. John Brandon Award.

John joined the American Medical Association in 1979, and in 2023 he was awarded the Samual Buford Word Award, the highest honor given by the AMA in recognition of service to humanity. In addition, John was a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians throughout his career.

John was instrumental in the implementation of the SMART Clinics in Pickens County, where he served as Physician Preceptor. The SMART clinics offer a full health clinic for students as well as faculty and staff in Pickens County schools. The Gordo Elementary School SMART Clinic was dedicated in honor of “Doc” in 2023.

John had a lifelong passion for Gordo Athletics and Alabama sports. He served as the team physician for Gordo High School athletics. His commitment to the Greenwave was unwavering for 45 consecutive football seasons, from 1981 to 2025. John has never missed a single Gordo High School football game, home or away, attending 548 consecutive games throughout his career as Team physician. John also served his beloved Pickens County as a member of the board of trustees of the Pickens County Medical Center, as well as 3 years as interim representative on the Pickens County Board of Education.

Davidson College honored John at his 50th class reunion in 2024, with the John W. Kuykendall Award for Community Service. This award recognizes alumni who have provided extraordinary service to their community.

For over 70 years, John was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa. Most recently, he attended the Current Issues Sunday School Class and was a member of the Perry County Mission Committee, an outreach program benefitting Perry County residents.

Honorary Pallbearers are the Chapman Family, the Herring Family, the Payne Family, Ryan Lolley, Jonathan Pate, Jim and Nancy Richardson, Bob Cunningham, Dan Thorne, Duncan Moore, Dennis Whit, John Wheat, Drake Lavender, Robert Shepherd, Ray Stewart, Gordo High School Football and Baseball Coaching Staff, Pickens County Board of Education Faculty and Staff, and Pickens County Smart Clinic Staff.

The Family extends heartfelt appreciation to Glenda Driver, and the staff of Morning Pointe of Tuscaloosa, Capstone Village Traditions Way, and Hospice of West Alabama for their loving care of John.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Gordo SMART Clinic, Attn: Amanda Newman, 535 4th Street NW, Gordo, AL 35466 or to Gordo High School Athletic Department, 630 4th Street NW, Gordo, AL 35466 or to First Presbyterian Church - Perry County Fund, 900 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 or Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404.