BROWNSVILLE Othal Brand, a Georgia fruit peddler’s son whose 20 years as mayor of McAllen was marked by his visionary push for commerce and expansion, died Saturday. He was 90.
Family members said Brand died peacefully in his sleep of congestive heart failure, which Brand himself termed old age.
He was 90, and he was very fond of saying Even the very best of equipment eventually just wears out,’ said his oldest daughter, Lynn Ferrell.
To his last days, Brand remained in public service, with his most recent elective post being a member of a Hidalgo County water district. He was devoted to community and church, but most importantly to the city of McAllen. Just four years ago, Brand threw his hat in the ring to retake his old post as McAllen mayor, saying it was time to get the city moving again
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