David “Little Ozzie” Wayne Brannan

November 24, 1963 ~ October 14, 2023

David W. Brannan “Little Ozzy” loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, left this world suddenly on October 14, 2023, on a beautiful fall afternoon, while visiting his son in Towner, ND.  

Visititation with family will begin at 5 pm, Monday, October 23, 2023 at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, with a Scripture Service at 7pm. Funeral Services will be 10:30 am, Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at St. Therese Catholic Church (901 N Tahoe Trail, Sioux Falls, SD). Burial will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Sioux Falls with Military Honors.

David Wayne Brannan was born to Wayne “Ozzie” and Julie (West) Brannan in Sioux Falls, on November 24, 1963. After graduating from high school, he went on to join the SD Air National Guard where he spent 23 years serving his country being deployed overseas several times. He worked full-time as a diesel mechanic in Sioux Falls, along with the military. After 22 years as a diesel mechanic\ fleet manager, he left for the oil fields to start a new journey. His son Joey, soon followed, and they had many memories together. Everyone knew the Brannan Boys. Five years ago, they both decided to run their own trucks, and Brannan Trucking was started. Till the end of his life, you could see Dave trucking down the road in his red Peterbilt, loving the business that they created.  

In the 38 years he spent with the love of his life Shari, they lived seven years in Sioux Falls, and eighteen years in Brandon, raising their kids in the community. In the past six years, they built their dream home on Big Stone Lake in South Dakota, where they currently reside. 

Throughout Dave’s life, you could see him playing baseball, watching sports on TV, golfing, hunting, fishing, or bowling. He loved to live life and he did it to the fullest. Fishing, is his favorite thing in life, as many will tell you about his competitive edge. Let’s just say, many poles were broken and went in the water, while everyone laughed as they caught all the fish and he didn’t get one bite on his. Every year, you could find him searching for the perfect lure to out-fish everyone in the boat. He will be missed for his quick-witted comebacks about everything you said to him. His last day of fishing was a few weeks ago with his dog as his captain, limiting out on perch and enjoying a perfect day out on the water. 

Dave’s greatest accomplishments in life were raising his children. He was a hands-on man, as his family was everything to him and he would have told you so. You could find him coaching his kids, and being the loudest cheerleader at every marching band competition, music concert, football game, track meets, bass tournaments, and anything else his children were a part of.  

Becoming a grandparent to Riley in 2019, meant so much to him. This last March, his second grandson, Wyatt, was born. Although he only had a short time with those boys, he loved every minute of being a grandpa. 

Everyone who knew Dave were drawn to him as he brought so much joy to everyone around him. His goofy humor will always be remembered by all.  

Words that I could hear Dave saying to you today would be; “Tomorrow is never promised, don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life” and he made a beautiful life.  

Dave is survived by his wife of 34 years, Shari Brannan, Bigstone City, SD; two children, Chelsey “pookiebear” Brannan, Harrisburg, SD, and partner, Jess Peterson, and Joey “little buddy” Brannan and future daughter-in-law, Trista Collins, Towner, ND; two grandsons, Wyatt and Riley Brannan; along with many more loving family members. 

Dave was preceded in death by his son, Mathew David Brannan; mother, Julie Brannan; father, Wayne “Ozzie” Brannan; and brother, Douglas Brannan.