David Heath Braddock

David Heath Braddock passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on January 6, 2025. We are rejoicing that he has been set free from Alzheimer's disease and is in the arms of Jesus. David was born on July 8, 1953 in Delta Colorado to John Ireland Braddock and Donna Bernice Braddock. He was the third of four children, Tracey Ryan (Jack), John Braddock and Troy Braddock. The family lived in Delta until they moved to Salinas, CA when David was 10 years old. He graduated from North Salinas High in 1972 and was on the gymnastics team achieving his block letter his first meet.
He learned to surf shortly after moving to California, and this became a life long passion. Other passions he had were fishing, collecting jade in Big Sur, collecting moonstones in Cambria, making pottery and collecting antiques. In 1984 he was strategic in designing our home and making improvements on it throughout the 40 years we have lived here. Dave loved attending Harbor Chapel Community Church, joining the men's Bible study and in the past years he was an usher and served on the board. He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh and make others laugh with his silly jokes.
Dave met Cindy Vaden in 1969 at a program for teens called Middle Earth at the YMCA. They went out for a few months then reunited on Maui the summer of 1973 when many of their friends went to surf for the summer. After dating for two years and Dave graduating from boot camp for the Navy, they were married on June 21, 1975 in Salinas CA. His first station was at Great Lakes Naval School in Illinois. Daves sister Tracey lived only 10 minutes from the school, where Dave and Cindy stayed with them in Waukegan Illinois. They went to church with her family and for the first time heard the gospel of salvation. After tree weeks they accepted Jesus as their savior and were baptized in September. Their stay in Illinois was short as they left the first week of November. Dave served in the Navy for almost 8 years in San Diego.
When discharged from the service they moved to Redondo Beach where Dave worked for Hughes Aircraft. They both knew that Salinas would be home, so two years later they moved back to Salinas. Dave worked for IDT for 16 years until they closed the local plant. He worked for Saleh Painting for several years, then became owner of The Furniture Doctor business. This is was what he loved, restoring antiques.
Dave and Cindy have 4 children, Heath (Pri), Luke (Tonyisha), Joel (Jacoby) and Hannah. Also they have 7 grandchildren, Sariah 14, Zyana 12, Asya 10, Aaylah 8, Asher 8, Noah 6, and Jayden 22 months. Family and gathering together was a highlight for Dave. The couple felt very blessed to always have family live close by. Dave also has many nieces and nephews that stayed in touch with over the years.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Cindy's parents Luther Vaden and Joanne Vaden, his brother Johnny and his sister-in-law Wendy.
Cindy would like to thank all who her helped on his long journey of his Alzheimer's. The children were always willing to come over to give me a break. Hannah moved back home in September when his care became very difficult. Tracey came twice in the last two years to help and give me relief. Many friends came over to also give me support and a break, Ray and Janice, Lou and Pete, Pam, Darleen and Jan. Also Stephanie from Visiting Angels came weekly for almost two years so I could work and do errands. His last week many brought dinner over which hugely blessed our family. Thank you so much.
As we celebrate the life of David we would like to share these scriptures,
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
When the thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember him when he came Into his kingdom, Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." We have confidence as we watched Dave take his last breath, he was in paradise with Jesus!
There will be a Paddle Out at Moss Landing State Beach, Jetty Rd, Moss Landing @ 9am on February 8, 2025
There will be a Celebration of Life at Harbor Chapel Community Church, 620 Dolan Rd, Moss Landing @ 2pm with refreshments following at the church