Tribute to Eddie Bramhall

Eddie Bramhall, one of Devine’s finest and most respected firefighters and community leaders, passed away this past weekend while on a family vacation.
Bramhall spent countless hours at the Devine Volunteer Fire Department over 20 years back in the day as a volunteer fireman, and helped train others, as well as leading as the Fire Chief. He helped with Devine EMS as well through many other service organizations including Little League, the school, and his church community as his daughters Dottie and Edie and grandchildren Drew and Sidney grew up. Bramhall loved leading and teaching and was a mentor to many young firefighters both during his volunteer days in Devine and as a leader of the San Antonio College Fire Academy, many who make their living now in the emergency profession thanks to his encouragement and example he set through his passion for helping others. He loved being a dad and a grandpa and visiting with all his friends. Most of all he loved his wife sweetheart Sue, his daughters Dottie and Edie, son-in-law Kade and grandchildren Drew and Sidney Miller .
He retired after 33years with SA Fire Department, 23 as a SAC Fire Academy Instructor, and 20 years in Devine Volunteer Fire Department.
Services for Bramhall will start with a visitation on Thursday, October 8 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Hurley Funeral Home in Devine. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Funeral services will be on Friday, October 9 at 1:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Devine. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.
A full obituary will run in next week’s edition.
The following are a few of the many tributes to Eddie from various people from all over.
Captain B, you may be gone but you will always be remembered.” Pearl Pearson
“When you saw Eddie, he was never at a loss for words. We often talked about sports. Sure will miss talking to him about not just basketball but football and all sports. But being around him at Wednesday night church services, I was amazed about his knowledge of the Bible. He was certainly a pillar in the Devine community and will be missed.” Gayle Sessions
“Eddie Bramhall was well-known for his passion to teach young firemen, whether it be volunteer status in Devine or later at the fire academy in San Antonio. I remember how well he took care of his recruits, allowing them to go into structure fires when he felt it safe for them but warning them that they had a time limit of just a few minutes – say 3 or so – and if they didn’t come back out, he was going in after them to drag them out and told them they would never go into another structure fire under his watch again if they didn’t do as told. Eddie was the ultimate in Old School volunteers, as he truly did it because of the passion he had for caring for others; therefore, he was looked up to and mentored hundreds of volunteer firemen. Many chose to make careers of firefighting or paramedics from the Devine area because of encouragement and his example. And of course Eddie would always give credit to the support and love of his beautiful wife Sue.” KK Calame
“I just heard that a great friend, great teacher, and one of the toughest Firefighters I have ever known passed away today. Eddie pushed Mike Schmidt and me into our first working structure fire back in 1982 in Devine saying, “Come on boys; it isn’t getting any cooler.” At the time, we were volunteer firemen and high school seniors. You will be missed by many, RIP Captain Eddie Bramhall.” Patrick DuBose
“Eddie Bramhall, you did more for my heart than you will ever know. Your compassion, kindness, understanding and non-judgmental spirit always made me want to be a better person. You were a great man in so many different ways, but your heart and spirit was the best part of you. I am so glad every time I saw you I gave you a big hug and you gave one right back. I will miss seeing you and those hugs, but I will always be grateful for the things you taught me and the unconditional love you gave me for the last 40+ years. Heaven is lucky to have you. I know Dottie was waiting there with open arms for that long-awaited hug from her Daddy. I love you and will miss you always. Thank you and Sue for being that person I knew I could always count on to be there.” Gina Champion
“This man will be so missed by our community. He always had a smile on his face, a kind word or a smart comment. He loved when Stacie Mann and I did our crazy videos and put them on Facebook and always commented, “If only your grandpa could see you now.” We will miss you, Eddie Bramhall, immensely, but you will NEVER be forgotten!” Shannon Collins Frazier
“He was a good guy and a great friend. He never met a stranger. He made a point to meet and like just about everyone who crossed his path. He was a committed Christian man and a very special person.” Bill Bain
“RIP Eddie…my long time family friend. You were a great man with one heck of a personality and an awesome leader in our little town…in our church…in everything you did…You will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to Sue, Edie and the family.” Elaine Crouch
“Can’t tell you how much I’m going to miss your replies and responses to my corny jokes. You’re a good man Eddie Bramhall and I look forward to seeing you again on the other side where I am sure you will greet me with a terrific “Dad Joke” when I get there. May God bless you and speed you on your way to His loving arms. May God also bless and comfort your family dear friend.” David Arthur Bake
“Captain B, we never got to have our margaritas together like we had planned but we will- I promise, it’ll just be postponed a little and instead of at MK Davis it’ll have to be in paradise. You always brought a smile or laugh to everyone with those sarcastic comments and I wouldn’t have it any other way. You were my fuel at the fire academy and became my first true mentor and biggest encourager everyday when I was out there. You pushed me to accomplish things I never thought possible, and still did recently and I know you always will from up there. I’ll think of you every step of the way while in the process with LAFD, for I wouldn’t even be given this opportunity if it wasn’t for you 10 years ago yelling at me “Come on Pearson leave your heels at the door!” I’ll always appreciate and cherish you. You may be gone but always remembered. I love you Capt B and I can’t wait to have that margarita with you one day.” Pearl Pearson
“The fire service and our community lost a wonderful man today. I remember visiting with you about getting into the fire service and then was lucky enough to have you instruct my academy class. Captain Bramhall you were a wonderful man and role model for so many people in the fire service. I will always cherish all the stories you shared with me about your career and life as a whole while we would drink coffee at the local gun shop. You will be greatly missed by many, but always remembered as a man that showed so many of us youngsters what a life of service to family and community looked like. Rest easy Capt we’ll take it from here.” Joshua Capps

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