Mr. James Wallace Brandon

December 11, 1926 - August 26, 2019

James Wallace Brandon age 92, of Shelbyville, Tennessee passed away Monday, August 26, 2019, at his home surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born December 11, 1926 in Akron, Ohio. Wallace was a graduate of Woodbury High School in Woodbury, Tennessee. He was always adamant and faithful to attend his Sunday morning Baptist church service, regardless where the horseshow was on Saturday night. His love for horses began after his father bought him his first pony at the age of 10. It continued to blossom and at the age of 18, he became a Tennessee Walking Horse trainer. After numerous jobs and mentors, he began his dream of owning and operating his own stable at Hickory Hill Farm in Franklin, Tennessee. It was a huge success for 50 years producing numerous world champions for himself, as well as amateur and youth riders. In 1954, Wallace put his name in the history books and not only won his 1st World Grand Championship, Midnight Minister, but 4 World Grand Champions. Among the many Champions he rode, were 1969 Aged Stallion Champion Reserve World Grand Champion, Sensational Shadow; 1976 Three-Year-Old Grand Champion, Ebony’s Darlin Lady; and more recently the Multi World Grand Champion in the Plantation Pleasure Division, Pusher’s Benny Boy and Stripper’s Finale. Later in his career, he began training flat shod horses. He was a pioneer of the Flat Shod Division, riding the 1st Lite Shod Plantation World Grand Champion, Heaping Spoonful in 1989. Wallace, fondly known as “Cuz”, was the 6th person inducted into the 1983 Celebration Hall of Fame. The Roast of Wallace Brandon was the 1st event held at the Celebration’s Blue Ribbon Circle Club after its opening in 1983. Wallace was a Walking Horse Trainers Association (WHTA) 1968 founding Charter Member, Lifetime Member, 1979-1980 President, 1997 Trainer of the Year, 2004 and 2011 Friendship Club Inductee (only one to ever receive twice) and received it’s 2017 Living Legend Lifetime Achievement Award. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Frances Lester Brandon of Woodbury, TN; daughters, Debora Brandon Harris of Lebanon, TN, Janice Brandon Huffman of Ft. Worth, TX, and Laura Alison English of Franklin, TN; and daughter-in-law, Constance Brandon of Olive Branch, MS. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Laura Moreton Brandon; sons James Wallace Brandon, Jr. and James Robert English, III; sons-in-law Richard Harris and Josh (Jane)Huffman; sisters-in-law Valentine (Ovidio) Pugnale and Charlotte Sledge; brother-in-law David (Diane) Moreton; grandchildren Shelly Linville (Robert) Bryan, Ashley (Corey) Hawkins, Brandon (Brittany) Huffman, Taylor (Aaron) Walker, Kelly Dawn (Brandon) Bass, Cody-Dale (Michael) Claridy and Justin Brandon; Thirteen (13) great grandchildren; Four (4) great-great Grandchildren; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life for Mr. Brandon will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2019 with service starting at 3:00pm and reception to follow in the Blue Ribbon Circle Club on the Celebration Grounds at 1110 North Evans Street, Shelbyville, TN 37160. Josh Huffman and Pastor Steve Murphee will be speaking. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family.