Carlton “Carl” James Brennan II
July 7, 1952 – June 3, 2020
Carl reposed peacefully at home surrounded by family early Wednesday morning, June 3, 2020. He fought a heroic battle against Mesothelioma. Though he did not win in this life, he won eternal victory after expressing desire for Heaven and receiving sacraments through the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Carl was born July 7, 1952, in Allentown, PA, to Carlton James Brennan and Melba Knecht Brennan. Carl attend Slippery Rock State College in Pennsylvania for his B.A. in History and Geography followed by attending University of Georgia for his Master’s coursework in Geography. At UGA he met Rebecca Zoe Smith, who would become his wife on June 18, 1977. From there he was hired by the CIA and moved to Northern Virginia. He spent a 42-year career with the CIA.
Throughout childhood, Carl was a fan of the Baltimore Colts and was thrilled when he got Johnny Unitas’s autograph. He also spent countless hours staging battles wars with his Airfix army men. Later he advanced to Avalon Hill Wargames. Carl was an avid reader and especially enjoyed science fiction and history with a special interest in World War II.
While working at the CIA, Carl and his family started life in Northern Virginia where they lived until 1991. From there they moved to Montgomery, AL, where Carl was the Factuality Representative for the CIA at the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base. After a couple years, he was posted back in the Washington DC area where the family stayed until he was reassigned in 2006 to Buckley Air Force Base in Denver, CO as an Analyst for NGA. In the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, the family thrived. In 2014, Carl was reassigned to Huntsville, AL, “The Rocket City” where he worked at Redstone Arsenal until he retired in 2018. Carl and Becky enjoyed his retirement the last couple years of his life especially the many activities and visits from their children and grandchildren.
Carl had a deep love of music and shared this with his family and friends. One of his specialties was cooking and entertainment specializing in grilling and BBQs. He was known for his quick wit, ability to deliver a joke like no other, and his enjoyment of black humor. Tanks were a special interest of Carl’s, so he never missed a chance to visit proving grounds and watch things blow up. He frequently took his small daughters to Aberdeen, MD to climb on tanks. Carl was famous with close friends for his affinity for big, huge, bright, loud fireworks. Rollercoasters and water slides were two of his favorite enjoyments on vacations, sharing this delight with his children and grandchildren. His favorite place to visit with family was Walt Disney World in FL. He also enjoyed Disney cruises and the Disney Resort at Hilton Head, SC.
Carl was received into the Eastern Orthodox Church with Chrismation and Holy Communion on June 1, 2020 at home, from Father Gregory Schultz of St. Michael the Archangel Serbian Orthodox Church in Huntsville, AL.
Carl is survived by his wife, Rebecca S. “Becky” Brennan, his four children, Callie Barbara Chaplow, Laura Elizabeth Brennan Bissell, Bridget Catherine Brennan, and Ben Robert Brennan; his grandchildren, Alana Z. Brennan, Douglas S. Chaplow, Robert E. Chaplow, Alexander B. Chaplow, Daniel T. Chaplow, Lucy H. R. Bissell, and Pierre J. K. Bissell; and his sisters, Susan Leighton and Barbara Heller.
Services were held at St. Michael’s Serbian Orthodox Church. Burial will be in Lovettsville Union Cemetery in Virginia.
