James Joseph Dobranich, Jr.
James Joseph Dobranich, Jr., age 72, passed from this life on September 3, 2023. He was born in Bellevue, Nebraska on July 31, 1951 to parents, James Joseph Dobranich, Sr. and Edith Faye (Cron) Dobranich.
James had a career as an aircraft mechanic. He made many friends at Hobby airport.
He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force in the Vietnam war era.
James is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marie Talbott.
He leaves behind to treasure his memory, his loving wife, Janet Dobranich; son, Chris B. Swiger and wife Candace; sisters, Kathy Trujillo and husband, Fidel, Sharon Harmon and husband, Steve and Diana Vogel and husband, Mike and four grandsons, Clayton, Brayden, Jordon and Gage. Also many nieces and nephews.
In his honor, a memorial service is planned for Friday, September 15, 2023 at 2:00pm at Crowder Funeral Home in Dickinson, Texas.
My condolences too you and your family!!!
I will miss you Speedy I did enjoy working with you when you were at the Lone Star Flight Museum was located in Galveston,Texas . Scott goose Simon
We send our love and deepest condolences. Speedy was a good man and friend. He will be greatly missed.
Sincerely, Steve & SherryRae McMurrey
I have fond memories of Speedy. The first time I met him was at the Lonestar Rally. I was looking for Janet & saw him from across the street. I knew who he was from pictures on FB. He didn’t have a clue as to who this crazy woman was that came running over asking “Where’s Janet?”! He told me where she was and as I started to run off, I turned around & said, “BTW, I’m Robin”. RIP Speedy. We will miss you.
I tried to walk in Speedy’s footsteps from 02-05 as a part-timer at LSFM, before Joe got sick & while Leeman was working his magic on the SBD. Bill Jolliffe was there to share the experiences of more than half a decade as a combat Aircrewman in PB4Y variants, & Lester Wynn shared the perspective of being among the first Hurricane Hunters in 4Ys, while serving “…three for me & then one for Harry…” By then I only saw Speedy at airshows & flydays, with an occasional weekend drop-in during my part-time stints. I wish I could’ve gotten better acquainted with him & had some of his expertise rub off on me, because the volunteers LOVED that guy! There was so much tribal knowledge & generational pass down in the organization that it was my little corner of Warbird enthusiast “heaven.” My sweet bride & I will be at Reno Stead Airport on 15 September & I don’t know if the Air Race announcers will “take requests” for honorable mentions, but I WILL ask.
Captain my Captain RIP
I had the Honor of working for and with “Speedy”, he was a great person and supervisor. I worked with him at Ellington Air-Field on Gulf stream Aircraft. Speedy as i knew him, will be missed. Good luck and So long my dear friend.
My deepest condolences. Speedy was good man and will be missed.
I had the pleasure of working with Speedy at Hams Aviation at Hobby back in the day. I will keep the fond memories of those years close. He was a good friend and a great mechanic. Clear skies my friend. Rest in peace.
Ohhhhhh Speedy. Such a devoted friend to so many including Larry and myself. Janet, I am so so very sorry. Prayers of comfort to you and your family.
Where should I start, from my first interview with you to work at Ham’s Aviation, the years being able to work with you at different facilities, your friendship, and the time you took to mentor me.and allow me the chance to work and grow within this industry.
I am going to miss you Speedy!! You also ushered me into the aviation world and was my best of friends ever since. I hope you found and are chilling on that tropical island. Will always love you.
I wish I had known sooner. “Speedy” was a great guy and had some great stories. Loved working with him as part of the Krewe of Aquarius. Speedy and Janet were great friends to me and Jennifer and we will never forget.
Speedy whole crap man I have been trying to find you for the past year and now I see this!!!
This is Ken Cox your brother in law from way back when.
To the family I send thoughts and prayers. Speedy I loved playing chess and the times when you were in BVista. I pray your path is always lit and may god bless!! I go to church every now and then and you and your family will be in my prayers!!! Jocelyn and I have been married going on 40 years and a great daughter 32 and she is great!
Y’all will be in our prayers!
My message I wrote was not very good. I am sorry about that. I was in shock a little bit. Said some prayers and have calm down some and I regret losing contact with you, I was so so close.
Again thoughts and prayers go out to the family and I pray you have come to rest under the right hand of God. RIP Speedy and may God Bless!:)