Roger Jay Braden was born on April 24, 1937, in Logan County, Ohio

“…do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live…”  Deuteronomy 4:9

Those who had the wonderful honor of knowing Roger Braden will never forget him.  It is a daunting task to write this tribute because how on earth do you condense the life of a truly great man into only a few paragraphs?  He never met a stranger; he always believed the best in everybody; and he impacted more lives than he could ever know on this earth.  His memory will live on through his beloved family and friends forever.

Roger Jay Braden was born on April 24, 1937, in Logan County, Ohio, to William and Pearl (Knotts) Braden.  He was taught to work hard, to be a man of character, and to always bring honor to the Braden family name.  He married his beautiful bride, Becky (McBlane) on January 31, 1958, and raised his family in Enon, Ohio until they moved to Merritt Island, Florida in 1972.  After about 20 years, the ever-growing Braden family moved to Branson, Missouri where they have resided ever since.  Roger lived to see his 85^th birthday and went Home to be with the Lord on April 29, 2022.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”  Ecclesiastes 9:10

Roger implemented this wisdom into every aspect of his life – including his legendary handshake!  And with those large, strong hands he could design, invent, build, and fix ANYTHING.  He was a tool and die maker in Ohio for 17 years.  When he moved to Florida, he became a cabinet maker and started Braden Kitchens, Inc.  Once he moved to Missouri, he was an integral part of Explosive Contractors; and he did all kinds of repairs and refinishing at Trinity Christian Academy.  He also helped his son build a tornado-proof log cabin, and he worked with his grandsons on various projects including car repairs and modifications, as well as revolutionizing the sport of longboarding.  He definitely was a genius, and his inventions span the diverse industries of construction, cabinet making, surveying, drilling/blasting, golf and even hang gliding.

Speaking of hang gliding, Roger became a hang glider pilot at the age of 55!  He always had a deep love for aviation which explains why he soloed and bought his first plane shortly after high school.  But, when he was on the ground, he had a “need for speed” and he was one of the first to build, and race, a rear engine rail dragster in the 1950’s.  His love for racing never waned and in 2019 he competed with his grandson, Jared, in the Red Bull Soap Box Derby as the oldest competitor in their history, riding in the car he helped build.

“But our citizenship is in heaven…” Philippians 3:20

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, William and Pearl Braden; his only sibling, Wilson Braden; and one great grandson, Hawk (pre-birth). 

Roger is survived by his precious and ever-faithful wife, Becky; two sons and their wives:  Dane & Laura, Todd & Kim; six grandchildren (plus spouses):  Dana Braden, Jared Braden (Meghann), Brandy Braden Chainani (Kartik), Dane Braden (Lana), Cole Braden, Luke Braden; three great-grandchildren:  Jett, Maria, Maylea; and two more great-grandchildren to be born later this year.

“Blessed is the man who fears the LORD… he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.”  Psalm 112:1, 6

Of all the things Roger accomplished in his life, he took the greatest pride in seeing his family encompass the values he and Becky taught them:  honesty, integrity, generosity, helping others, and faith.  We, his family, miss him terribly for there will never be another quite like him ~ a quiet man who never wanted recognition, yet he was larger than life to all who loved him.  And, true to his humble character, he requested that no funeral be planned for him.  It’s probably just as well – there isn’t a church big enough for all who would come to pay their last respects. 

Several have asked how to memorialize him.  A simple donation to Trinity Christian Academy (Hollister, Missouri) would make him proud.  Thank you. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.