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James Braus Obituary
1936-2017
JAMES M. BRAUS (Jim) passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at the age of 80. Jim was born in Bismarck, North Dakota where he was valedictorian of his class at St. Mary's Central High School. He then graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in Chemical Engineering. After graduating, Jim spent his entire career with Royal Dutch Shell Oil Company. He was a truly generous man who loved unconditionally and lived his life always seeing the best in everyone he met. He was a man of honor and integrity tempered with kindness and compassion. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Joyce Ann Braus, his children Joan Regnier (Steve), Sharon Stryjewski (Michael), Paula Meyers (Gene), John Braus, David Braus, Linda Antcliff (Chris), and his step-children whom he always loved and treated as his own: Mark West, Kelly Baker (Micky) and Robyn Grindel (Mark), and his siblings Mary Kay Hunt (Bob), Rick Braus (Nancy), Steve Braus (Liz), and Ruth Mary Steffes (Jack). He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Matt Braus and Ruth Hanggi Braus, his sister Carolyn Braus (Sr. Jude), step-son Kirk West, and former wife, Jean Marie Neva Braus West. Jim possessed a unique sense of humor that made everyone laugh and he brought joy to all who were fortunate enough to know him. His absence has created a void in all of our hearts that can never be filled – he will be missed forever. A memorial service will be held at Kingwood Funeral Home (22800 US-59, Kingwood, Texas 77339) on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a reception at the Homewood Suites by Hilton, 23320 US-59, Kingwood, Texas 77339. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Jim's honor be made to St. Mary's Central High School, 1025 N. 2nd St., Bismarck, ND 58501.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Braus
Sponsored by Kingwood Funeral Home.
Chuck Lieder
October 5, 2022
...always appreciate your drive for results...
michael jesse
October 5, 2022
5 years on and I still keep thinking of Jim, the way he thought of his family, his generosity, and his encouragement and willingness to let others do their best. I miss him.
Michael Jesse
October 22, 2020
I miss my talks with Jim. His sense of humour and viewpoints. RIP.
Susan Lardy
October 5, 2020
Prayerful remembrance! May Jim Rest In Peace!
SUSAN LARDY
October 5, 2019
I remember my visit with Joan and Paula this summer. God be with you all.
Louis Grasso
February 11, 2018
I worked with Jim on the Deer Park expansion from 1975-77. Jim was such a great leader and motivator. He also helped young people to develop the skills and experiences to enable them to further their careers. I will always be grateful for all of his advice and support.
Cheryl and Scott McCauley
October 14, 2017
We want to offer our deepest sympathy to the entire Braus family. May the thoughts and prayers of your dear friends comfort you at this sad time. Sincerely,
Susan Lardy
October 14, 2017
To the Braus family, especially Joan. My prayerful sympathy. May Jim know God's special welcome of love, joy and peace. May you all be consoled with the loving support of family and friends. Sincerely, Sister Susan Lardy
Bill & Linda Butin
October 14, 2017
Dear Joyce and family,
Truly saddened to learn of Mr Braus' passing (as I continued to address him even after leaving Shell!) :). Immediate memories of having the privilege of working for him while he was General Manager, Engineering on the 22nd Fl OSP and continuing to enjoy his (and yours!) company at the fun EMT gatherings. Will never forget his generosity, fairness, mentoring and kindness.
Bill joins me in sending our condolences and prayers. May the memories of your life together bring you comfort.
May God bless him and your family with grace and peace.
J. Patrick Goggins
October 14, 2017
To Joyce and family, Jim and I walked home together from St. Mary's Grade School in Bismarck. Jim on to homework and me lallygaging. Once we 7th graders hiked a few miles out of town in January and a blizzard hit us. We decided to leave the road and shortcut across fields. I was following the footprints of 2 Gun Dick from Apple Crik and looking back I could barely see Jim struggling in the drifts. We were both skinny. I went back and stayed with him. Jim became a model student. He was also a fun ukelele player in tune with good friends Denny Doppler, singer and Big Al Emineth, banjo player. Jim and I both went off to college at ND, Jim "U" North Dakota, me "U" Notre Dame. We met again in San Francisco Bay Area and Jim moved to Texas. Jim visited us and I took him to a Dialogue for Peace event at the Irish Center. I visited Jim and Joyce in Houston and he took me to NASA. Jim generously produced our St. Mary's High 50th Reunion book. Thanks for Jim's goodness and inspiration. God Bless Jim and the great Braus Family. Pat Goggins
October 14, 2017
Jim was my friend and patron for thirty years. His support and belief in my skills allowed me to do some of my best work. On one of his driving trips we had Jim and Joyce for a northwest dinner of salmon, berries, and hazelnuts. At that time we hardly knew one another but he was an entertaining guest and our friendship grew. He was my first client to fly me down to Huston to do an install. When we came up one board short, Jim drove me around town looking for a piece of Walnut. He was not upset or concerned, just want to do whatever it took to get the job done. We had a good time driving all over Huston looking for one board, telling stories and sharing past events. He liked to drive, and travel, and it seemed, from the telling he went everywhere.
I will miss his friendship, his concern and our talks on the phone.
God bless you Jim.
Michael Jesse (Concord, Ca.)
Yolanda Reid
October 13, 2017
May all your special memories you shared with your loved one stay with you and bring you comfort throughout all the days ahead!! With deepest sympathy, Yolanda Reid
Norman Radford
October 11, 2017
I knew Jim when he was the Manager at Shell Deer Park. He was an outstanding leader and, for me, a joy to work with. He was one of many great Shell personnel, at all levels of the company, that I had the pleasure to work with over the years as an outside counsel.
Chuck Lieder
October 11, 2017
Jim Braus was a strong, consistent leader for us in Shell Oil. Showed patience with young engineers and listened to our ideas.
October 11, 2017
My condolences for the loss of your love one may are heavenly father comfort your family 1peter 5:9,10
Maria Andrade
October 11, 2017
My sincerest condolences to the family for your loss. I pray that you have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Phillipians 4:6,7).
October 10, 2017
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God be with you.
With love,
The Lowrey and Loren Families
Al Emineth
October 9, 2017
Condolences to Braus family. Many happy memories of time spent with Jim will be forever cherished.
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