Roger Emery BRADEN

BRADEN, Roger Emery was a native Tucsonan, born June 6, 1931. He passed away May 29, 2017. Roger had deep knowledge of Arizona and was a consummate storyteller. He loved to reminisce about his boyhood, and was a Tucsonan version of Huckleberry Finn. Tucson was much smaller then, and it was Roger's playground. Roger knew it intimately because he walked or biked its length and breath. He even left city limits to walk to his aunt's ranch where the Midway Drive-In used to be, and to Davis Monthan to watch pilots training for WWII. Once, full of rambunctious energy, he rounded the corner of Fox Theater and careened into John Dillinger. Roger was an unsung, brilliant and prolific artist, modestly giving away or storing scores bold, bright oil paintings in closets and sheds. The subject matter of his paintings flowed from his heart. There is no mistaking that he loved the mountains, deserts and Indigenous Peoples of Arizona. With so much artistic talent, after graduating on the GI bill, he became an art helping teacher for Tucson Public Schools, but primarily taught grades 3rd-6th. Hundreds of school children benefited from his broad ranging intellectual interests and engaging teaching style. Roger was in the Navy Medical Corps attached to the Fleet Marines with the 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in Korea. He commented that he, "…served with the greatest group of guys possible," some of whom died when his foxhole got mortared. After he had been injured in the attack, his mother was mistakenly informed he was killed in action. Fortunately, this was not the case. Upon honorable discharge, Roger subsequently married fellow Tucson High and U of A graduate, Patricia (Bagshaw) Braden. They were married for 62 years. Roger is also survived by a daughter, Cindy Hansen and a son, Gary (Anna) Braden. He has three grandchildren, Echo Hansen, Monica Mc Teague and Ryan Hansen and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother and brother, Marie and Bill Braden. Among his acquaintances, Roger was famous for both his quick wit and spiritual pursuits. When he entered a room, it was as if you were in the presence of a comedic genius. Despite his funny-bone, he spent many years working with a group intent on biblical interpretation. A Memorial Service will be held: Monday, June 19, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. at East Lawn Cemetery, 5801 East Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85712. Arrangements by EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY.