Russell (Russ) Brann had a love for softball and coached after his daughters went to college. A longtime coach for the organization Batbusters, Brann helped more than 100 softball players earn a scholarship. He died unexpectedly earlier in April. A funeral was held on April 8 at Greenwood Chapel in Fort Worth.
He’s survived by his wife, Nancy Neal Brann; daughters, Hillary Lynn Brann and Kathleen Cierra Brann (Kacie); and sibling, Randall Brann and Roxy Bowling.
Several friends and family paid their tributes on social media.
“Thank you for loving us unconditionally, for the stories, all the made up songs and for always believing in me. Holding your love close and bringing your spirit with me everywhere I go. Love you, Dad-o,” said daughter Kacie Brann on an Instagram post.
Brann was born in Fort Worth and played football at Western Hills. He would play football for one year at McMurray College before graduating from Texas State Technical College and UT-Arlington. While at McMurray, Brann met the love his life, Nancy. The two have two daughters, Hillary and Kacie.
After college, the Branns married and moved to Arlington to start their family.
Then they moved to Aledo. Kacie played softball for the Ladycats and graduated in 2012. She was a first-team all-district selection and district pitcher of the year.
Brann was known for putting his time and effort with everyone. He loved being with his family, getting together to eat, playing games, and watching John Wayne movies. He adored spending time with his daughters on the weekends playing softball in their early days and shooting skeet after they graduated.
His true calling was being a coach.
“Just found out the passing of one of my former coaches Russ Brann. My heart hurts so much for the Brann family. Russ was one of my biggest supporters as a player and the reason I started coaching as he brought me along to a Batbuster tryout. A lot of my softball career as a player and coach had Russ along side in it and I’m grateful for his knowledge and his mentorship he passed on to me. Love you guys so much, Kacie, Nancy and Hillary Brann,” said Vanessa Devore on Facebook.
Devore was about 15 years old playing select softball in Dallas when she first met Brann.
He walked up to her parents and asked if she wanted more exposure with a bigger organization. She would spend a lot of time with the Brann family, traveling the country during the select softball seasons. She played with Kacie Brann at North Texas Central College.
“It’s pretty rough to talk about it,” Devore said. “Always kept in contact with Nancy and his daughters, would have dinner with the Branns and talk about the good and bad. Russ was always there to help me. I started coaching 12u in Amarillo and Russ was proud of everything I did and loved hearing about my team.
“He was a good mentor and kept up with my girls. I learned a lot of knowledge of the game from him. He knew what to do to get the best out of his girls.”
Brann coached his players with such passion and heart. They always got a huge hug after every game and knew they were loved. They could feel his devotion every time he stepped on the field. He enjoyed giving pitching lessons, focusing on techniques and working with girls to earn softball scholarships.
“Russ was in it to help the kids. He wasn’t in it for anything else,” said Doug Card, president of the Batbusters organization. “He loved the game and would do anything he was asked. He was always opened to do anything and loved the game and coaching.”
Other tributes
“Heaven gained a great one. We all loved him and his beautiful soul. He made softball so fun for us back in the day, and was a great coach. He impacted a lot of softball players throughout the years, and continued to care about each of us even after the softball days. Prayers to Russ Brann’s family, especially his wife Nancy Brann, and Kacie Brann and Hillary Brann. I’m here for y’all if y’all need anything. Thank y’all for sharing him with us.” – Chelsea Marie Lee
“My heart hurts. The world sure lost a good one, Russ Brann! You were one of my favorite coaches in all my years. You coached with such passion and heart. But, at the end of it all gave us a huge hug and loved us. Kacie Brann, Hillary, and Nancy Brann…you guys are in my thoughts and prayers. I just know my Dad and him are catching up and talking softball non-stop. Much love to you guys.” – Cara Hoover McKenzie
“Coach Russ was genuinely one of the nicest people anyone could have met. To know Coach Russ is to know he loved his wife and kids and would do ANYTHING for them. To know Coach Russ is also to know he loved softball and was one of the good ones left – he coached not for the money, but because he genuinely loved the sport and helping the girls. He truly left every player better than he found them. To know Coach Russ is to know when you saw him he would have and tell some of the best stories!! He reminded me so much of my grandfather…I loved hearing his stories. Coach Russ was one of the first coaches that believed in our oldest and he meant so much to the Hill family. We lost a good one and my heart and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time. Brann Family…Please let the Hill family know if there is anything we can do – sending our sincere condolences.” Shay Hill
“Prayers for the Brann family. My heart aches for them. I’m so thankful that I got to play for Russ Brann and his daughter Hillary Brann. Russ was a coach who taught me so much more than just softball itself. He was a coach for his last season not for money, but because he enjoyed the game and coaching girls. Russ always believed in me, gave me confidence, and gave me opportunities to love the game I’ve play my whole life. I wish i would have gotten to tell you how much you and your family meant to me and mine. You will be missed more than you ever know Russ Brann! Words can’t describe what your family is going through and how good of a man/ coach and inspiration that you truly were. If you knew Russ, you would understand how much he loved being on the field and how much he loved his wife and daughters. Love you guys so much.” – Alyssa Holland
