Listen to the Obituary
Brandon James “Burn” Hislope, age 44, of Somerset, Kentucky, passed from this life on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at his residence.
Brandon was born on September 4, 1981, to the late Russell and Loretta Sluder Hislope in Somerset, Kentucky. He was a gifted comedian and talented artist who shared his creativity through his music and humor. Brandon wrote many songs and had a natural ability to make others laugh with his quick wit and charm. He will be remembered for his intelligence, authenticity, and loving spirit. Brandon touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory include his sisters: Pamela Carpenter of Somerset, Lisa Holliman (Jason) of Lexington, Stacy Gregory (Aaron) of Somerset, Brittney Hislope of Somerset, Amanda Hurt of Somerset, and Brianna VanHook (Josh) of Somerset; along with a host of special nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at Bethlehem Baptist Church with funeral services to begin at 1:00 p.m. with Bro. Bobby Church officiating. Burial will be in the Hislope Family Cemetery in Nancy.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brandon James Hislope Memorial Fund.
Southern Oaks Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Brandon James Hislope.
Bran was an amazing friend and life of the party. And if life could be called a party, he was the life of that too. I just seen you last Friday too and can’t believe the news. I’ll miss his jokes and our laughs and our late night talks that went till morning. Rest easy friend.
Brandon was my only full biological sibling and my only brother. For he and I to be the only two people with the same biological mother and father is something I’ve felt is special between us. I’m writing this on my birthday today, November 21st. One of the things I told Brandon before is how he was likely the first kid I ever was around as a newborn, and he would’ve been the first boy I was ever around. His voice was likely the first boy’s voice I ever heard as a newborn and infant, and his face was one that I must’ve became familiar with as I grew into an older infant, toddler. He was a prominent, significant person to me throughout my life, and he helped in times of need on various occasions. Since his death I’ve heard a friend of his that knew him, say that if there was one person Brandon would want to help, it’d be me, and that Brandon loved me. As a teenager another one of his friends told me how much I meant to my brother. The emotional pain I’ve experienced from Brandon’s death has been deep, and I’ve wondered if I’ll ever be the same again without him in terms of the sadness of his absence that I don’t feel will ever go away. I’ve felt sad because of how I can’t ever express to him again how much I love him and how special he is to me. I can’t ever plan a meaningful family event for us to experience, or give him a heartfelt hug. One of my biggest fears for years has been losing him because of him passing away, and I’ve been protective of him. I still have my son to live for, whom was Brandon’s nephew that Brandon did a lot for. Brandon taught my son how to ride a bike, tie his shoe, play guitar which my son ended up excelling at. He was there for many of my son’s birthdays, and at other times in my son’s life. My son has been affected by Brandon’s passing as well. The two songs I requested to have played at the funeral were Don’t Fear The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult, and Blackbird by The Beatles. I chose the first one because of that being a big favorite song of mine, and because the singer’s voice sounds like my brother’s, and I had told my brother that before. The second one I chose because my brother was a fan of The Beatles, and although I don’t know how much he liked that song, I thought it would be fitting. However, neither of the songs I requested were played despite me telling the man officiating his service, and one of my family members involved in the funeral plans. The family member said they ended up not having time to play them. They did however play I’ve Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash, since someone knew of Brandon playing that on guitar and singing it before, and they played two other nice sounding Christian songs. I didn’t request any of those songs though, and although my brother didn’t normally, or ever choose to listen to religious music from what I know, those Christian songs were fitting and sentimental for the occasion, and I liked them. However, when it comes to Johnny Cash songs, over the last year or so, he had sent me a song link to Big River. One of the things Brandon and I would do since reuniting in 2023, is send one another song links that we liked and wanted to share. I hope Brandon’s soul is at peace and in a good place, and I’ll love him forever as I move through life with what feels like will always be a void now that he’s gone. I didn’t speak at his funeral, but if I would’ve, I would’ve liked to share with people that if they would like a copy of the DVD slideshow, they can purchase one through Southern Oaks Funeral Home for $15.00, if I remember correctly. I wish I could’ve saved my brother from the early death that he had at age 44, and helped him have a better life.