John Brantley, the former longtime director of Raleigh-Durham International Airport who helped guide the operation into the modern era, has died.
Brantley, 82, died unexpectedly on Friday at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, according to his obituary . Brantley was director of RDU Airport from 1982 to 2011 during a period of tremendous growth
“John’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of RDU,” the airport said Sunday on a post on its website . “He helped guide its evolution from a modest airport with World War II roots into the modern, world-class gateway to the Research Triangle region that it is today.”
Oversaw major expansion of RDU
Brantley was a lifelong resident of Raleigh. He graduated from Broughton High School in 1960 and N.C. State University in 1964…