LAYNE ALLAN BRANDT

Dec. 19, 1944-Aug. 14, 2008

Our hearts are aching today as we announce the untimely death of our dear friend and longtime Farmers Investment Co. (FICO) employee, Layne Brandt. Layne was FICO’s Vice-President for Farm Operations. He first came to work for FICO in 1969 as a mechanic.

Layne took off from the FICO farm in San Simon in a FICO plane at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, and never arrived at his intended destination, the FICO airstrip in Continental. The plane and his body were found on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 16, at the crash site in the Santa Rita Mountains near Heart Butte.

Layne was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Sue Brandt; and is survived by Eileen, his wife of 27 years; his children Tami (Tim) Aidlin, Lisa Brandt, Kelly (Dan) Haskins, Julie (Michael) Landman and Allen (Amanda) Brandt; grandchildren Lauren Rayner, Jacqueline Rayner, Michael Landman, Madison Landman, Cody Brandt, Gabriella Brandt, Charlie Haskins and Sophia Aidlin; sister Karen Brandt of Tucson; brother Dale (Doreen) Brandt of Nome, Alaska; and mother-in-law Pauline Baca of Belen, N.M. Allen is manager of FICO’s San Simon operations, a developing 2,700-acre pecan orchard. Our deepest sympathy, love and prayers go to Layne’s wonderful, devoted family during this difficult time.

Layne, who was born and raised in Holland, Mich., was a unique individual: a loving father; an intelligent, innovative and creative pecan farmer; a talented, successful business manager; an experienced pilot; an author; and a true cattleman with a passion for big game hunting. He was equally comfortable in a corporate boardroom, in the pilot’s seat of an airplane, mentoring his loyal employees, or on horseback.

Besides his family, whom he dearly loved and often bragged about, and his world-renowned success in the culture and marketing of pecans, Layne had a passion for cattle ranching and big game hunting.

Though his council was often sought by his co-workers, he would routinely beg out of business meetings, saying, “I’ve got some pecans to grow.” Layne was known as the FICO “Will Rogers” in residence with his ready humor, unwavering moral compass, and common sense. Layne always had a smile for everyone and treated everyone with the same respect, whether it was a new employee just starting out or the president of the company.

Layne will be sorely missed by all the FICO family and his wide range of friends around the world.

The family and FICO employees especially wish to acknowledge the efforts in locating Layne’s aircraft and thank the Governor’s office, the Civil Air Patrol, the Sahuarita Police Department, Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Pima County Search & Rescue Team, the Immigration Customs Enforcement helicopter crew, the Davis-Monthan 55th Rescue Helicopter unit, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department, and Cochise County Search & Rescue Team, in the search and recovery effort. Additionally the FICO employees, the Santa Rita Ranch and Diamond E cowboys are thanked for their dedication in finding Layne.

A celebration of Layne’s life was held on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008, at Valley Presbyterian Church in Green Valley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to: In Memory of Layne Brandt, Casa de los Ninos, 1101 N. 4th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705 (520) 624-5600; In Memory of Layne Brandt, New Mexico Boys & Girls Ranches, PO Box 9, Belen, NM 87002 (800) 660-0289; or In Memory of Layne Brandt, Green Valley/Sahuarita Parkinson’s Support Group, PO Box 714, Green Valley, AZ 85622.