Clarence "Brownie" Braun's Obituary
Clarence “Brownie” Braun, born February 13, 1926 in Waite Park, MN and passed away on January 5, 2018, at the age of 91.He was the first in his family to graduate from high school and he did so with honors. He went into the Navy immediately after graduating from high school. He attended Minot State Teachers College and The University of Wisconsin before reporting to Glenview Naval Air Station in Illinois for pre-flight training. He transferred to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi for additional flight training. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he worked on an oil drilling rig and was a steward for Braniff airlines. He re-enlisted in the Navy prior to the beginning of the Korean War and served another 6 years. During this time, he attended Electronic Technician School on Treasure Island in San Francisco before reporting for duty on the USS Collett DD730. He spent 33 months on the Collett, and three tours of duty with Task Force 77 in Korean War zone. He was then assigned to the Armed Forces Special Weapons Program, stationed in Albuquerque, NM and Lake Meade Special Weapons Depot in Las Vegas. When he was discharged from the Navy in 1956, the family move to Richardson, TX where he began his career in electronics with Sun Oil Company. He retired from Sun after 28 years and then worked for ARCO for 6 years before retiring in 1990. He was the co-inventor of three US Patents which he was very proud of.He met his first wife, Betty, through Braniff friends, while attending Electronic School in San Francisco. They married in 1952 and had four children. They lived in San Diego, CA, Albuquerque, NM and Las Vegas, NV prior to moving to Richardson in 1956. They were married 37 years prior to her death in 1990. He married Barbara Beavers in 1992 and they were married 10 years, before she passed in 2002. He was a great father, grandfather and will be greatly missed by all who loved him.Clarence is preceded in death by parents, Andrew and Cecelia (Roden) Braun; first wife, Betty Ruth Knight; second wife, Barbara Beavers; sisters, Evelyn Masleter and Rosemary Weitzel; brother, Norbert Braun and great-grandson, Noah Mills. He is survived by children, Kathryn Mills (Gary) of Southlake, Carolyn Struthers (Pete) of Allen, Mike Braun (Wanda) of Aledo and Andrew Braun (Robin) of Trophy Club; grandchildren, Matt Mills (Lana), Mark Mills (Elizabeth), Michael Mills, Amy Miles (Jeremy), Sam Struthers (Valerie), Dylan Braun, Madison Braun and Cassie Braun; 9 great grandchildren that he loved dearly; sister, Frances Malikowski of Rogers, MN; sister in law, Marjorie Knight Watson of Minneapolis, MN; first love, Martha Gaetz of St. Cloud, MN; close family friend, Darla Braun; several nieces and nephews.The family would like to thank the staff at Dancing River Assisted Living and Memory Care in Grapevine for the loving care they provided Dad the last few years, as well as Envoy Hospice.In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity.A funeral service will be held at 9:30 AM on Friday, January 12, 2018 at The Abbey Chapel, with visitation a half hour prior.
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