Harold W. Braden

Poplar Bluff, Mo. Born on Sept. 17, 1930 in Senath, Mo., he was the son of the late Floyd E. Braden and Thelma Price Braden. He grew up in southeast Missouri attending high school at Morley, Mo. Harold joined the Air Force in 1949. He was stationed in Japan where he managed supplies that were going to the troops that were in the Korean War. When he returned to the U.S. he went north to Michigan where he got into the retail business. For the next 17 years he managed stores across the Midwest. He moved his family to Poplar Bluff in 1971. He accepted the circulation manager position at the Daily American Republic. During his years with the DAR he helped many young people by giving them their first opportunity to work at a job as paperboys. He taught good work ethics and responsibility that they were able to take with them into their adult lives. During his 16 years of retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling across the United States. Often traveling with dear friends from the area. Each year they were gone many months at a time. He loved sports. He coached Babe Ruth baseball teams and AAU basketball teams, some teams were champions. He was a big Cardinals fan and a bigger Three Rivers Raiders Basketball fan. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his grandchildren. Harold was a member of the local AMVETS, Francis C. Boyer Memorial Post 29. He was also a Mason. In May, 2010, he received his 50 year pin.Harold belonged to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross. He and his mother-in-law, Reva Arnold, helped to start the food pantry at Holy Cross Church in the spring of 2001. He enjoyed being the pantry director for 10 years, serving many that needed help. On Aug. 18, 1990, Harold was married to Martha Gaines. They had 24 wonderful years together. He is survived by his wife, Martha; son, Phil Braden of Glasgo, Ky.; daughter Pam Norman (Tom), of Springfield, Mo.; grandchildren, Daniele Romine, of Springfield, Josh Romine of Boise, Id., Liana Norman of Springfield, Justin Braden of Nashville, Tenn., Caleb Braden of Athens, Ala., Bryce Braden of Nashville, Lauren Braden, Matt Braden; Daughter-in-law Eileen Braden of Idaho Falls, Id.; six great-grandchildren. Harold was preceded in death by daughter, Melissa Marie; son, Michael Joseph; and his parents, Floyd Braden and Thelma Stockton.