PALM SPRINGS, Ca – Gregory Rankin Brunton, 73, of Palm Springs, California passed away peacefully at his residence on July 12, 2020 with his caring and loving husband, Brian Mitchell Wolbaum at his side. Greg was born in Athens County, Ohio on November 18, 1946, the first of six children to the late Rankin Gerald Brunton and Barbara Ann Richardson Brunton.
After graduating from Marietta High School in the class of 1964, Greg continued his education at Kent State University, where he studied broadcast/theater and served as the President of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Fine & Professional Arts in 1969, he began a lengthy and accomplished career in the broadcast/theater industry. His first job was shooting movie wrap arounds with Don Imus at WUAB TV in Cleveland, Ohio. The evangelist, Rex Humbard of the Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio-based Cathedral of Tomorrow, followed in hiring Greg for commercial lighting.
Greg moved away from his Ohio roots to pursue a successful stint lighting Sesame Street before joining Imero Fiorentino for seven years. In 1980, he moved to Los Angeles as an entertainment lighting designer with Design Partners Inc. where he remained for 33 years.
During his 50 years in film/television, and theatrical lighting and design, he won many awards and industry recognition for his work including 14 nominations for Emmys, winning three times. Greg not only enjoyed career success but he also enjoyed sharing his knowledge by mentoring many in his profession.
From early in life, Greg was an avid fan of theater, a love he shared with his husband in their many trips to both on and off Broadway shows in New York City. Another great passion of Greg’s and Brian’s has been the many cats and dogs they have rescued over the years to be part of their family.
Greg will be dearly missed by many family and friends who span the country. In addition to his beloved husband, Greg leaves behind his loving family; his three brothers, Geoff (Shelley West), Chris (Candy) and Bruce (Nanette), all of Marietta, Ohio, as well as his sisters, Ann Brunton- Cohen (Jerald) of Hudson, Ohio and Susan Brunton-Reinmann (James) of Avon Lake, Ohio as well as many adoring nieces and nephews.
No memorial services are planned. Any memorials in Greg’s name can be made to The Trevor Project @ www.thetrevorproject.org.
