James R. Brennan, III

James R. Brennan III of Iron River, MI passed away on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, MI.

He was born February 21, 1938, in Nashville, TN, the son of the late James and Virginia (Klages) Brennan, Jr. He graduated from Isaac Litton High School in Nashville in1956. Jim earned a BS in mechanical engineering from Vanderbilt University and later an MBA from University of Pittsburgh. He was a proud U.S. Navy veteran having served on destroyers and submarines. He enjoyed recounting his experiences during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Following military service Jim enjoyed a career in manufacturing, specializing in international joint ventures which took him around the world.

Jim and Margee married on August 7, 1965, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Stambaugh, MI and he pursued his lifelong ambition of becoming a “Yooper”. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2025.

Jim was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Iron River, Iron County Golden K, and American Legion Post 21. He was active in the community over the years serving as an Iron County Commissioner and as a member of the Iron County Museum Endowment Board, participated in Men Who Cook, and was a Founder of the Friends of Camp Batawagama. He enjoyed sailing, working on genealogy, attending Golden K events, and socializing with friends and family — there was always a spot at his table or an extra bed for guests.

Jim is survived by his wife, Margee; son Jim (Lisa) of Minneapolis, MN; daughters, Kelly of Iron River and Courtney Dixon (Grant) of Kansas City, MO; five grandchildren, Dawn, Moses, Waylon, Angeline, and Magnolia Dixon; sisters-in-laws, Laurel (Jan) Deloria of Minneapolis, MN and Pat (Irv) Teranishi of Fairfield, CA; brother-in-law, Andy Stewart of Palo Alto, CA; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his sister Marilyn Cotter; sister-in-law, Diane Stewart; and brother-in-law, Don Johnson.

Visitation will be held Wednesday May 27, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday May 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church with Rev. Mark McQuesten to officiate.

Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery. The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the graveside.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations be made to the Bates Hall Preservation Society, or to Friends of Camp Batawagama in honor of Jim's love of the U.P. and the people of Iron County. Donations may be made at https://savebateshall.com/ or FRIENDS OF CAMP BATAWAGAMA - Home