James D. "Jim" Braman Jr.

James D. "Jim" BRAMAN, Jr. May 23, 1925 ~ May 9, 2009 Jim Braman, oldest son of former Seattle mayor J.D. "Dorm" Braman and Seattle's first Director of Community Development, passed away on May 9. Jim was born in Bremerton in May 1925 to Dorm Braman and his wife, Margaret. He graduated from Bremerton High School in 1942. Jim served in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps during World War II, in New Guinea and the Philippines, attaining the rank of Captain. After the war, he received a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a Master's degree in regional planning from the University of Washington. He graduated Summa Cum Laude and earned membership in Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi, and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies. In 1947, Jim married the former Carol Jean Ewart. They had three children: Linda Louise Peters (of Kapowsin), Cathy Ann Boyd (of Federal Way), and Richard d'Orma Braman (of Oroville). Jim's career included 10 years each in the Seattle Planning Department and the Denver, CO, Planning Office (eight as Denver's Director of Planning). He also spent five years as the first director of the Seattle Department of Community Development, five years as senior partner in the Braman Group consulting firm, and 10 years with the environmental engineering firm CH2M Hill, where he was Director of Planning for the firm's Northwest Region. Jim was a great cook (hishomemade chocolates were legendary), a competent handyman, and author of three books. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, hiking, and skiing throughout his life. While growing up, he became an Eagle Scout. One of his books, "Where the Fuzzy Marmots Grow," tells the story of his adventures in the renowned Bremerton Boy Scout Troop 511. He gave more than 60 book readings and signings, ultimately selling 4,400 copies. Jim and his wife Carol lived in a Mill Creek townhome until 2007, when they moved to Daystar Retirement Village in West Seattle. They traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states and 46 countries, including China, India, Australia and much of Europe. Jim was a lifelong Christian Scientist, active in churches in Denver and Seattle, and instrumental in building a new church in Bothell. His beloved wife Carol passed away last year, as did his dear brother, Bob. He will be missed by his three children, his seven grandchildren (Molly, Nick, Cassie, Chris, Robin, David and Jennifer), six great-grandchildren, and his many friends and colleagues. A memorial service will be held at Bleitz Funeral Home, 316 Florentia Street, Seattle on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. Remembrances may be made to First Church of Christ, Scientist (18301 102nd Ave. NE, Bothell, WA 98011) or Daystar Northwest (PO Box 311, Seahurst, WA 98062). Sign Jim's online Guest Book at www.Legacy.com