Dr. James Edward Braden, Sr. of San Marcos, Texas, passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2019, at the age of 93. He was born in Burlington, Texas, on July 18, 1926, to Paul George Braden and Hattie Marie Maerz Braden.
He grew up on a farm and later joined the United States Army, serving in General Douglas MacArthur’s Honor Guard at the end of World War II. After discharge from the Army, he attended Sam Houston State University and graduated from the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston in 1953. He married Geraldyne Baca on August 16, 1949, and they moved to San Marcos on Labor Day in 1956.
Dr. Braden was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in San Marcos as well as an active long-time member of the San Marcos Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed hunting, baseball, fishing, golf, camping and bowling.
His parents, brothers Wilfred Braden and Fr. Eugene Braden, sisters Helen Davis and Sr. Dorothy Braden, and his sons, Jim Braden, Jr. and David Braden, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his children, Kay Braden Brietzke and husband, Glenn Sr. of New Braunfels, Stephen Braden and wife, Michelle of Bryan, Celeste Braden of San Marcos, John Braden and wife, Julie of Yoakum, Pat Braden and wife, Kathy of Porter, Mary Braden of Austin, Carl Braden, and husband Joe Weir of Humble and Margaret Braden Taack and husband, Codie of Dallas, daughters-inlaw Majel Braden of San Antonio and Dolly Braden Mills and husband, John of Waco, his sister Frances Murray, his brother Virgil “Bud” Braden, 26 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
On Sunday, December 8, 2019, family will receive family and friends at Pennington Funeral Home from 4-5:30 p.m. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will follow at 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in San Marcos. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday, December 9, 2019, at St. John’s Catholic Church, with Fr. Jairo Lopez, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Memory Lawn Memorial Park in Martindale, Texas. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons.
The family would like to give special thanks to Caring Senior of New Braunfels, Brookdale North in San Marcos, and Brookdale Hospice for their care.
Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos, Texas, 512-353-4311.
