John Brannon was born June 4, 1913, in Coal Valley, Walker County, Alabama, the son of the late Thomas C. and Eva (Myers) Brannon. He received his education in the Public Schools of Walker County.  On September 9, 1939 he married Willie Mae Boshell.  Brother Brannon is a member of the Oakman Methodist Church.  He has been employed by the Alabama Power Company for nineteen years, and he is presently serving as an Electrician.

Brother Brannon was initiated an Entered Apprentice in Oakman Lodge No. 465 on November 28, 1944, passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft December 12, 1944, and raised to the Sublime
Degree of Master Mason on December 26, 1944. He has served as Worshipful Master of the Oakman Lodge for four years, June 1947-1948, 1948-1949, 1949-1950, and 1955-1956. The main event during his leadership was the burning of the mortgage on the lodge in 1956. He served as Assistant District Lecturer and District Lecturer eleven years, and five years on the Committee on Work and one year as the Chairman of the Committee. He qualified for the Proficiency Certificate in the Alabama Ritual on November 9, 1948 with a grade above 99.  In 1966 he was elected Junior Grand Warden and has regularly advanced to the peak of being installed as the Most Worshipful Grand Master on November 19, 1969.

He is a member of the Oakman Chapter No. 298, Order of the Eastern Star. A member of the York Rite bodies of Jasper, which includes Jasper Chapter No. 118, Royal Arch Masons, Jasper Council No. 70, Royal and Select Masters, and Jasper Commandery No. 48, Knights Templar. He is a Shriner in Zamora Temple, Birmingham.

Since the time John entered the Masonic Fraternity, he has served and led with such enthusiasm and determination that only good could be the product of his leadership. Brother
Brannon is well loved by all in the state.