Thomas Mark "Tom" Brandow

Thomas Mark “Tom” Brandow, 61, of Sulphur passed away unexpectedly at 9:25 PM on Monday, November 30, 2020 in a local hospital.

Tom was born on December 22, 1958 in Bradford, PA.  He was raised in Alexandria where he was a graduate of Alexandria Senior High School and played football and belonged to the school choir.  He furthered his education at Northeastern State University where he also played football and graduated with a degree in education from Northwestern State University.  While getting his college education, he would work the summers as a counselor for Louisiana Lions Camp for Crippled Children in Leesville where he met his future wife in 1978.  They married on November 22, 1980 and then he began his dedicated 39-year career as an adored, well known, and highly respected teacher and football coach, recently retiring for medical reasons this past January.  During his career he taught and coached for numerous schools in Southwest Louisiana including Sam Houston High School, Westlake High School, Jennings High School, St. Louis High School, and South Beauregard High School and in Southeast Texas including Orangefield Junior High School and Little Cypress Mauriceville in Orange, TX. Tom was an inspiration to all students and athletes and used his musical talents in his teaching and coaching which is still remembered by students today. 

He was a devoted member of St. Theodore Catholic Church where he and his wife were exceptionally involved in the music ministry and he was the proud leader of the guitar choir.  Tom made his first ACTS Retreat in 2014 and was honored to be a part of the ACTS team the following year. 

His musical talent extended to writing several Christian songs that were enjoyed by all who attended the guitar Masses.  Tom was known around the Lake area for performing at Pepper’s Roadhouse in the 1990’s for a 10-year span as well as in the Houston & Beaumont TX area.  Tom recently invited his wife to duo sing with him. They regularly performed at Crying Eagle Brewing & Boudain Hut North.  He will be remembered for his love and talent of playing the guitar, banjo, ukulele, bass and the piano. 

Tom and his wife were members of the Krewe of Komova for the past 10 years.  He had a great passion for the time spent with his family and friends, as of course, his collection of more than 300 Converse tennis shoes he was known for and will be remembered for.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife of 40 years as of last week, Sarah Malone Brandow of Sulphur; children, Jessica Brandow of New Orleans and Chris Brandow of Sulphur; his mother, Jackie Brandow of Alexandria; and siblings, David Brandow (Sheryl), James Brandow, and Fr. Steve Brandow all of Alexandria.

He was preceded in death by his father, David Arden Brandow.

A funeral mass will begin at 10:30 AM on Friday, December 4, 2020 at St. Theodore Catholic Church.  Father Aubrey Guilbeau will officiate.  Burial will follow in New Ritchie Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home in Moss Bluff.  Visitation will begin on Thursday from 4:00 PM until 7:30 PM with an ACTS rosary to be recited at 6:00 PM in the Moss Bluff funeral home chapel.  Visitation will resume on Friday in the church from 9:30 AM until the start of the mass.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.

**In compliance with current COVID-19 restrictions, please wear a face mask and respect social distancing while in attendance**