Donald Anthony Brazil

Donald Anthony Brazil of Livermore died May 15. He was 84.

Brazil was born in Sacramento, California and graduated from Hayward High School. He began his career as a materials fabricator machinist upon graduation, working for multiple industrial companies in the Bay Area. He had taken evening classes in advanced mathematics and physics at the community college.  

Brazil enjoyed a 38 plus year career with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the Materials Fabrication Division as a senior supervisor. He also was honored with multiple trips to Washington D.C. meeting President Gerald R. Ford. He retired at 55, but was called back on numerous projects to offer his expertise in the development of critical energy and laser projects. Upon his retirement, he began working for the Alden Lane Nursery. For 25 years he loved maintaining the various pieces of garden and shop equipment, rebuilding an unused antique walnut dehulling and cleaning shed and various projects as the nursey continued its expansion. He would maintain the antique tractors and drive them in the local city parades and later giving hay rides at the nursery.

Brazil was an active member in the East Bay High Tailers, an off-road/off-highway buggy club in the '70s and early '80s. He would lead dune buggy runs and race off–road in the Valley Off-Road Racing Association. He loved his vegetable garden and would always give away his produce to family and friends. Brazil was not happy unless he had multiple projects going and he always enjoyed helping everyone. He touched many lives with his gentle loving spirit and positive outlook on life.

Brazil is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Rhonda; devoted children, Bonnie and Steve Ventura of Folsom; Tamara Rodham of Crosby, North Dakota; David Kappadahl of San Ramon; Scott Donaldson of Manteca; and grandchildren, Christopher Ventura of Folsom, Gregory Ventura of Folsom, Ashley and Matt Cline of Stockton, United States Marine Corp Corporal Dakota (Cody) Donaldson of Camp Hansen, Okinawa  Japan, Evan Kappadahl of San Ramon, Dawnika St Peter of San Ramon and Ashton Donaldson of McComb, Mississippi; and one great-grandchild, Lincoln Roy Cline of Stockton. He also is survived by his loving sister, Barbara and Rick Norman of Healdsburg. He was preceded in passing by his first sister, Gladys Cook Northway of Wyoming.  

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life on Sunday, May 27, from 2-5 p.m. at the Alden Lane Nursery, 981 Alden Lane, Livermore.