In Memory of
Ish Brant
October 3, 1906 - January 2, 2003
Ish Brant, a resident of Neptune Beach, Florida and long-time
Florida political and educational leader, was a truly unique and wonderful man,
well known for his wit and charm. His strong work ethic, great diplomacy
and statesmanship, coupled with a natural ability to bring people together,
enabled him to achieve an incredible number of worthwhile community achievements
in his long lifetime.
Known for his down to earth "folksy" mannerisms, mane of silver hair,
winning football teams and many political victories - that more often than not
caught his adversaries by surprise -earned him the affectionate nickname
"The Silver Fox." Ish was considered a "mover and a
shaker," becoming an icon in the beaches communities and Duval County.
Ish Brant set a benchmark for how public servants should serve their
constituents. At a time when partisanship and "mud-slinging"
became the norm during political campaigns, Ish always rose above the fray,
conducting himself with courtesy and dignity. A man of the people, Ish
always remembered the many thousands of individuals he met as he traveled the
road of life, never forgetting his humble beginnings, and always treating those
he met with respect and consideration.
Ishmael Winford Brant, 96, died on Thursday January 2, 2003 at Baptist Medical
Center Beaches, where he once served as Chairman of the Beaches Hospital Board.
Born October 3, 1906, on a farm in the Ocala National Forest, near Florida's
famed Silver Springs, he was awarded a bachelor and master degree from the
University of Florida, where he lettered in track, baseball and football.
After graduation, Ish distinguished himself as athletic director, coach and
teacher at Cocoa High School, Cocoa, Florida, and being also elected to the
Rockledge City Council. After moving to Neptune Beach, Florida in 1942,
Ish became the assistant principle, athletic director and head football coach at
Fletcher High School in Jacksonville Beach, three-term mayor of Neptune Beach,
City Manager of Jacksonville Beach and was the last elected Duval County school
superintendent. Ish was instrumental in establishing Florida Community
College at Jacksonville, where he later became athletic director and a
professor. He was a three term member of the Neptune Beach City Council, a
member of the Duval County Civil Service Board, member Beaches Area Historical
Society, founding president of the Kiwanis Club of the Jacksonville Beaches and
a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was president of the Jacksonville Beach
Shrine Club, was active at St. Paul's By-The-Sea Episcopal Church as a Sunday
school teacher, senior warden and chairman of the building fund and a founder of
Episcopal High School.
As this article is written, Ish is survived by his wife Marye, son Dr. Terry
Brant and his wife Diane, daughter Vernisher Burant, grandson Dr. Darley Brant-Knoedler
and his wife Kristy, two nephews William W. Walker and James W. Walker.
A family visitation was held at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach
Boulevard, Jacksonville Beach, FL from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday January
10, 2003, with a service conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday January 11, 2003 at
St. Paul's By The Sea Episcopal Church, 465 11th Avenue North, Jacksonville
Beach, with the Rev. Suddath R. Cummings and the Rev. Edward Harrison
officiating. Following cremation, Ish Brant was interred at the church in
the Memorial Garden during a private family ceremony.
Please note: The newspaper articles are in .jpg format. Kindly allow time for them to load after you have clicked on the blue links.
1941 Miami Herald article, "Cocoa Athletic Director Busy Individual" (allow time to load the page please)
Beaches Leader article, "Brant Heads League"
Neptune Beach, letter of resolution and letter from Washington, D.C. congressman
Page 1, page 2, Shorelines article "Event Honors An Icon" dated October 17, 2001 (printer friendly version)
October 17, 2001 The Beaches Leader article "Brant Hailed For His Fatherly Ways"
Page 1, page 2, October 3, 2001 The Beaches Leader article "Fletcher's Gridiron Granddaddy"
December 17, 1968 proclamation recognizing Ish Brant Day & July 15, 2003 resolution to name a school after Ish Brant
George Washington Ballroom retirement ceremony for Ish brant, December 17, 1968
To view our family pictures, please click the following link: Ish Brant Family Pictures
