Thomas Paul Braker

Thomas Paul Braker born November 26, 1976 in Toledo, Ohio was called home by his Lord and Savior on June 17, 2025 in Lexington, KY after one of the most courageous and inspiring battles with cancer.
He smiled each and every day through the pain and suffering, never once complaining; intentionally thanking God each morning for the gift to be alive and experience one more day with his family.
God answered Tom's most important prayer; gifting him such grace and peace at the very end. Moments after having lucid conversations with joy and laughter, before he took his last breath, while holding his brother Robert's hand, Tom must have heard the Angels singing as he said out-loud "Did you say praise Jesus?" Then with a smile and an "Oh Boy!" his heart simply stopped and he was set free.
Tom, who nicknamed himself "Butch" as a little kid, was raised Catholic and audibly heard the voice of God from a very early age and multiple times throughout his life.
His grandmother Salud was instrumental in his building a life filled with faith and service. As she attended daily mass, so did Tom.
His extremely admirable work ethic began in the second grade as a Toledo Blade Newspaper Carrier; a job which required him to get up at the crack of dawn every day for ten years until he left for the U.S. military. During high school Tom not only delivered papers, but simultaneously worked for a pressure washing company and as a dishwasher at Ponderosa alongside his brother.
Tom spent 8 years serving his country as a member of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division and in the Army National Guard.
He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Louisville as an adult student all while working full time.
After the military, one of the most impactful jobs Tom took on was as a House Parent at the Kentucky Methodist Home for Children, where he and his coworkers started a baseball team which resulted in such amazing positivity and joy.
Tom spent the last twenty years of his life as a servant leader recruiting and placing thousands upon thousands of people into jobs all over Central Kentucky.
As the co-owner of Remedy Intelligent Staffing, Tom worked humbly from the front alongside his team, with encouraging emails sent to them multiple times a day.
Most people who worked for Remedy clients never even knew Tom was the owner and that's the way he wanted it.
He silently served food to the residents of the Hope Center for many years and was a regular Adoration Chapel volunteer.
He was a Eucharist Minister for 25 years, including Homebound Ministry where he, his wife and son, spent Sunday mornings with an amazing elderly woman and her family.
Tom was a dedicated and disciplined runner having started in high tops and graduating to running shoes which were worn out every 4 weeks. Before the day he fell sick, he had not missed one day of running in over 13 years and before that the only thing that stopped him was a broken back. His record prior was 11 years straight. He trained and finished strong in two Chicago Marathons and Cincinnati's Flying Pig. Running was his time to meditate; pray and take beautiful sunrise pictures he shared with the world.
While it took Tom five years and one very dedicated mom to learn how to read,
He became an avid reader of self-help books all the way up to the end of his life, having read four books on near death experiences in the last couple of months to prepare himself for going Home.
He had just learned to play and really enjoy golf. Every evening, he would take his son and dog out on the golf cart to spend quality time and play a few holes.
Tom loved fashion! His closet could well have been a clothing store. But he had a rule, if he hadn't worn it in three months it went straight to charity. He clothed a lot of Lexingtonians!
He was the most joyful and generous giver. Tithing well beyond what might seem required. He literally gave his shirt off his back more times than we will ever know.
His generosity made it possible for people to clothe and feed themselves, pay their utilities, have transportation, travel to see their family and worship their God where they feel at home.
He delivered daily positivity through text messages to so many male friends who have shared how they as first thought it was cheesy, but then quickly became accustomed to them and are missing them so much today.
But above all of Tom's amazing qualities, his most admirable one was his role as a Father. He took such immense pride and joy in being the most dedicated and loving Dad, learning that trait from his own father. Tom's Dad spent countless hours coaching baseball, driving kids wherever they needed to be and just always showing up.
Believe it or not, he said many times, "I would love to have a child with Down Syndrome", and that's exactly what God gave him, following the survival of a remarkable 40 foot fall off a cliff at the Red River Gorge. In the back of an ambulance, an EMT responded to his question, "Why did God spare my life? I should be dead." She told him "God is showing me a vision of you and a baby boy in a blue hat."
Anderson was that baby, who in turn made it possible for Tom and his wife to help change millions of Americans lives with disabilities through their advocacy work in DC.
Tom told Anderson no less than ten times a day "You are awesome, you're smart, you're handsome, you're an Angel and I love you so much".
He was so humble and always put others before himself, constantly striving to build others up. He was thoughtful and kind and everyone knew who he was by the crazy socks he wore. Tom was a tremendous giver of advice and the best listener you'll ever meet. He was the most positive person thanks to the Mexican genes passed down from his "glass always full" Mom. She builds him up and made him feel important every day of his life!
Tom and Lynn were married for more than 25 unbelievably happy years. They went to junior high together but somehow never met until a high school football game when they were sophomores; becoming inseparable friends falling deeper and deeper in love.
They spent 4 long hard years away from each other during which time they exchanged over 3,000 letters, still held so dearly in a box in their basement.
Their love, respect, admiration and commitment were like no other. Tom took such great care of Lynn for so many years and she is so grateful to have had the opportunity to return the favor in the end.
Tom's legacy will live on through his wife Lynn and son Anderson.
He is survived by his parents Josephine and William, his brother Robert (Allison) Braker and his brother-in-law Jamie (Tracy) Mauntler
He will forever be missed by his mother-in-law Barbara "Bubbi" Mauntler whom he loved so dearly and was so grateful for, as she tirelessly and unselfishly gave up her life to support and care for him, her daughter and her grandson over the last 15 months.
The fruits of his spirit will live on and be passed down through his neice and nephews, Grace, Sam and Charlie Braker and Jace, Trey and Brooks Mauntler.
Tom was preceded in death by his grandmothers Salud Cortez and Lucille Braker, grandfathers Albert Cortez and Erwin Braker, numerous aunts and uncles and his father-in-Law James Mauntler, Sr.
Thank you to each and every University of KY Hospital nurse, doctor, desk clerk, food service worker and janitor whose path crossed Tom's. He and his wife felt so cared for and loved by each and every one of you.
Thank you to the thousands of people across the country who prayed for Tom and his family. Your prayers carried and lifted them up each and every day.
In Tom's honor please pray about and give generously to a charity of your chose.
Acts 10:2
"He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly."
All are welcome to attend his celebration of life funeral mass at 1:30 pm Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 485 W. 4th Street Lexington, KY 40508. Reception to follow at the Carrick House, 312 N. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40508.
A private family burial will be Sunday, July 13, 2025 at the Bluegrass Memorial Gardens.
Kerr Brothers-Harrodsburg Road is in charge of the arrangements.