Gary Franklin Braley

Gary Braley, 1939-2025

Gary died at home surrounded by family on December 27th. He was born in 1939 in Grinnell, Iowa to parents Frank and Harriet. He had two brothers who preceded him in death - Ben who was two years older and Dick who was five years younger.

In 9th grade, Gary thought his life was over when his family left farming and moved to the town of Pocahontas, with a population of 2,000 and almost three hours away. Gary soon discovered the joys and benefits of a larger school and became involved in theater, sports, music and the newspaper, all while holding a job at the Pocahontas Record Democrat. He graduated as the Valedictorian and enrolled at Iowa State University, after 6 months of voluntary military service.

While at Iowa State he met Doris, his wife of 63 years, when mutual friends set them up on a date. They married over Christmas break from classes and then travelled to Columbus, Ohio to begin life together.

At Ohio State his life took another dramatic turn - when he saw his first computer in 1962. After graduating in 1964, Gary accepted a job with Honeywell in Minneapolis, appreciating the quality of life and the proximity to Iowa family. Gary and Doris raised two daughters, Patricia (Todd) and Michele (Nils). As a family they enjoyed many wonderful trips including to Europe and Mexico. When he became a grandparent to Peter (Kathya) and Adam, he and Doris delighted in time with them, making frequent trips to Washington, D.C. where they enjoyed attending the boys' sports and school activities.

Besides his family, the highlight of Gary's life was learning and teaching about computers. In 1978 Gary took the risk of leaving Honeywell to start his own consulting company to assist hospital laboratories to purchase and install their first computers. He had the right experience at the right time and worked with over 200 hospitals over the next 30 years. He educated others about computer advancements through his monthly newsletter, Technically Speaking, that he wrote for 15 years and shared with hundreds of avid readers across the U.S.

Gary and Doris volunteered together as drivers for Meals on Wheels for over 20 years and Gary served on the Board of both Eastside Meals on Wheels and Metro Meals. He also mentored young people through an after-school program and high school career days. In his final years the center of his life remained his family, the numerous friends who frequently visited, and staying current with news and developments in technology.

Gary will be remembered as a caring husband, father, grandfather and friend, as a lifelong learner, Apple computer enthusiast and storyteller. He will be missed beyond measure by his family and a wide circle of friends.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, April 18 from 1p to 4p at The Hollywood, 2815 Johnson Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418. Gary's ashes will be interred at Hillside Cemetery in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to one of his favorite charities, Eastside Meals on Wheels