Braxton Brown Sr., 83
Braxton Brown Sr., 83, died Sept. 18, 2018, of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was currently a resident at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.
Brax was born in Missoula, July 13, 1935, to Braxton Clifford Brown and Adeline Ida Rice. He was raised in Missoula and Tucson, Arizona.
Braxton graduated from Tucson High School in 1953. He enlisted in the United States Navy his junior year of high school, during war-time Korea. Following his high school graduation he proudly served in the Navy Seabees. After receiving his honorable discharge from the Navy, on that same day he traveled home to Missoula, and on a chance blind date, Brax met the love of his life, Edith Steck, an 18-year-old farm girl from Jarvie, Alberta. Three weeks later Dad sent her an engagement ring and a bus ticket in the mail. That was the beginning of their beautiful 57 years of marriage and the blessings of three children, nine grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Brax was a dedicated employee of Johnson Controls for 37 years. He worked on the boilers, heating and air conditioning HVAC systems for many of the schools, hospitals, banks, and commercial buildings throughout western Montana. He was simply known as “The Best” at what he did.
Brax was a 60-year member of the United Association Missoula Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 459. He proudly represented the Missoula Local 459, winning top awards in the 1964 National UA Apprenticeship Competition at Purdue University. Brax held a passion for the plumbers and pipefitters trade and taught apprenticeship school for many years.
Brax’s legacy is his family whom he loved, blessed and provided for with all he had to give, and with all his heart. He was an avid and expert fly fisherman, spending many great times on family outings camping and fishing up the West Fork of the Bitterroot and the Swan.
Brax was a lifelong member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and called Jesus his Lord and Savior.
Brax is survived by his three children, Braxton Brown Jr. (III), Adeline Suzette “Sue” Job, and Mary Emily Brown; grandchildren, Braxton Brown (IV), Brenton Brown, Briana Watson, Ryan Job, Meaghan (Job) Lewis, Jordan Rauk, Kendall Rauk and Logan Rauk; great-grandchildren, Champ Watson, Hayli Brown, Barrett Brown,
Oakleigh Watson, Braxton Brown (V), Annabel Brown, Ember Lewis, Boyd Brown, Braydon Brown, Ellianna Lewis, Bridger Brown and Kason Lewis.
Braxton was preceded in death by his loving wife, Edith (Steck) Brown, his parents, his sister Mary Emily Brown, his daughter-in-law Diana Brown, and grandson Jonathan Brown.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 5 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Missoula, with a reception following.
Burial will follow at the Montana Veterans Cemetery in Missoula with Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to an Alzheimer’s or Hospice Foundation of your choice.
Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for the family. Please visit www.columbiamortuary.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Braxton.