(Photo taken by Sam, June 2011)
My wonderful grandpa passed away last Saturday morning. Our family takes great comfort in our testimonies of eternal life, and we're grateful that Grandpa has now been reunited with Grandma, who passed away four years ago.
Here's the text of Grandpa's obituary:
J. Pat Braden
1926 ~ 2013
J. Pat Braden, 87, of Boise, peacefully passed away on Saturday morning, Feb. 16, 2013, at his home. Pat was born on Jan. 7, 1926, in Weiser, Idaho, to Leroy and Anna Braden, as the youngest of six boys. His growing-up years were spent in Weiser on 2½ acres of land, with a large garden and lots of animals. He especially loved horses. Pat grew up during the depression. From his father, he learned to work hard and the importance of dedication to family and making life secure for them. Pat learned how to be frugal and to love and serve others from his mother.
Pat graduated from Weiser High School in 1943 and attended three months at College of Idaho. On Feb. 14, 1944, Pat entered the Marine Corp. He faithfully served in Guam, Iwo Jima, Japan, and China and was honorably discharged as a Corporal on June 12, 1946.
Pat met his wife, Lois Montgomery, at a roller skating rink in Weiser, Idaho, after he returned from serving in World War II. They were married on March 19, 1948, in Ontario, Oregon; and their marriage was later solemnized in the L.D.S. Salt Lake City Temple. Pat and Lois shared their lives together in Oregon and Idaho for almost 61 years, until Lois passed away in Feb. 2009.
Pat loved people, and he was loved by everyone he met. He was full of energy, had a great sense of humor, and was a continual optimist. Pat frequently expressed his love for his family, and he was a beloved Sunday school teacher of the youth for many years, a calling he thoroughly enjoyed. Pat continued to work until he was 83 years old. He especially loved his last position as what he called, "the Vice President of the Exterior," for Idaho Independent Bank.
Pat is survived by his five children: Diane (Brent) Belliston, Terry (Brenda) Braden, Cory Braden, Randy (Deana) Braden, and Lon Braden. He has 23 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Pat was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Cloyce, Harry, Earl, Carl, and Bill; and one grandson, Riley Belliston.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at the LDS Church off Vista Avenue at 3020 W. Cherry Lane, in Boise, Idaho. Friends may greet the family at the church from 11:00 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. prior to the funeral services. A private, family interment will be held on Monday at the Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel.
The family would like to express appreciation to the employees of Idaho Independent Bank for their loving support and for providing weekly meals to Pat for the past four years. We also express appreciation to Pat's home nurse, Paris Morrow, who went above and beyond his duties to take the best care of our father. www.relyeafuneralchapel.com.
1926 ~ 2013
J. Pat Braden, 87, of Boise, peacefully passed away on Saturday morning, Feb. 16, 2013, at his home. Pat was born on Jan. 7, 1926, in Weiser, Idaho, to Leroy and Anna Braden, as the youngest of six boys. His growing-up years were spent in Weiser on 2½ acres of land, with a large garden and lots of animals. He especially loved horses. Pat grew up during the depression. From his father, he learned to work hard and the importance of dedication to family and making life secure for them. Pat learned how to be frugal and to love and serve others from his mother.
Pat graduated from Weiser High School in 1943 and attended three months at College of Idaho. On Feb. 14, 1944, Pat entered the Marine Corp. He faithfully served in Guam, Iwo Jima, Japan, and China and was honorably discharged as a Corporal on June 12, 1946.
Pat met his wife, Lois Montgomery, at a roller skating rink in Weiser, Idaho, after he returned from serving in World War II. They were married on March 19, 1948, in Ontario, Oregon; and their marriage was later solemnized in the L.D.S. Salt Lake City Temple. Pat and Lois shared their lives together in Oregon and Idaho for almost 61 years, until Lois passed away in Feb. 2009.
Pat loved people, and he was loved by everyone he met. He was full of energy, had a great sense of humor, and was a continual optimist. Pat frequently expressed his love for his family, and he was a beloved Sunday school teacher of the youth for many years, a calling he thoroughly enjoyed. Pat continued to work until he was 83 years old. He especially loved his last position as what he called, "the Vice President of the Exterior," for Idaho Independent Bank.
Pat is survived by his five children: Diane (Brent) Belliston, Terry (Brenda) Braden, Cory Braden, Randy (Deana) Braden, and Lon Braden. He has 23 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Pat was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Cloyce, Harry, Earl, Carl, and Bill; and one grandson, Riley Belliston.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at the LDS Church off Vista Avenue at 3020 W. Cherry Lane, in Boise, Idaho. Friends may greet the family at the church from 11:00 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. prior to the funeral services. A private, family interment will be held on Monday at the Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel.
The family would like to express appreciation to the employees of Idaho Independent Bank for their loving support and for providing weekly meals to Pat for the past four years. We also express appreciation to Pat's home nurse, Paris Morrow, who went above and beyond his duties to take the best care of our father. www.relyeafuneralchapel.com.
Jack had a doctor's appt in Boise a couple of weeks ago, so Cody and I made plans to meet up and go visit Grandpa, and I'm so glad we did. Cody ended up spending quite a bit of time with Grandpa over the next few days helping him with things around the house and driving him to get a haircut (after Cody sweetly washed Grandpa's hair in the sink as per his request!). What a tender mercy.
Here are some of my favorite pictures of Grandpa from recent years:
Jack and Grandpa, Christmas Day 2012
Grandpa with some of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, August 2012
Grandpa with my three boys, April 2012
Will and Grandpa, April 2012. Will's middle name Patrick is in honor of Grandpa.
First meetings with each of my sons:
Clyde, September 2006
Will, May 2008
Jack, April 2012
Grandpa wrestling with Clyde and Will, December 2008.
Possibly one of my favorite pictures ever :). June 2011.
Thanks to Sam for taking these pictures while we were at Quinn and Eden's reception,
June 2011.
While we were at Grandpa's earlier this month, he started telling us some stories from his time on Iwo Jima during WWII. I quickly hit record on the camera to get as much of the story as possible. Jack started fussing, so parts are hard to hear but here it is:
What I most want to remember about Grandpa is what I shared on facebook that night:
My sweet, charming grandpa Pat Braden passed
away today. He was an incredible example to me in many ways, but one
that sticks out the most is how much he loved his family - and how often
he expressed that love. I was always the honored recipient
of a hug and a kiss on the cheek and quiet words that he loved me and
was proud of me and I will treasure that forever. I'm trying to heed
Will's wise words to "Be happy, Mom, don't be sad. You still have a
grandpa, he just live with Jesus!" and my hope is to honor Grandpa by
making sure my family always knows how much I love them as well.
5 comments:
Sweet Jana, I'm in tears. I am so sorry and hope your heart heals in time. My arms are around you.
I love the picture of your grandpa wrestling with the boys and him hugging you. Treasures (even though they bring tears to my eyes)!
Angels will be wrapping their arms around you and your family.
Terri
to cute I love ur blog post hope ur heart in time.
What sweet words. I'm sorry for your loss. So grateful for the gift of the atonement so we can be together forever with our families! Love you, Jana. I will be thinking of you and your family during this time.
What a sweet, loving post. He seems like a wonderful man. I love when people leave how we get to know them a little better and learn a lot about them. It looks like you were very close to him and I'm thankful for your smart boy's words. What a beautiful thing to have the gospel.
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