Tommy Lee Braden

Tommy Lee Braden of Christoval Texas was called back to his lord and savior Jesus Christ and was reunited in Heaven with his daughter, Laura Mae, and parents Ernest & Annie Braden on Thursday May 4,2023 at his home in Christoval. Tommy was born on September 27,1951 in San Angelo Texas and was the 3rd youngest out of the 8 of kids. He spent his entire childhood in Wall, and he graduated in 1970 from Wall High School with perfect attendance, which is something he did not pass on to his own children or grandchildren for sure😉. Tommy had planned on joining the military as Plan A, but being a Braden meant not meeting the height requirement that the government believed was necessary to serve 😊 So he moved on to Plan B, however continuing the family farming business had already been taken care of by his big brother, Dick. Tommy however had a Plan C, which was using his god given talent of Carpentry. He mastered his craft while working alongside his brother, Harry, and Brother-in-Law Michael with Box Construction. He was a hard-working man all his life in any endeavor that he chose. Once he hung up his hat on carpentry, he finished his working days by spending his time alongside sister, Polly, and dear friend Alfred Delagarza by being part of the family of Mereta Co-Op Gin which he treasured and retired from.

Tommy married the love of his life, Jackie Daniels, on December 15,1973 and they were blessed with 4 beautiful girls. Coach Tommy (known to most also as Papa Smurf) dedicated his days not only to his daughters but also many other girls that thought of him as an honorary dad while being the best softball Coach with sister Polly with the Mereta Mets. His passion for sports never wavered, even up until his last day by watching The LA Lakers get beat😊(thankfully), and he has passed that passion on to his youngest daughter Jenny. No matter how bad or rough the seasons were for the Houston Texans, Astros, and Rockets their #1 fan was Tommy & one thing that you could count on was him rooting for any and every team Except for “Them Cowboys!!!!“ If you knew Tommy even just a little bit, then you knew that he never met a stranger no matter where he was and his uncanny ability to fall asleep anywhere at the drop of a hat. You also knew that you would find him either in the garden back in Wall, scratching off those lottery tickets, playing slot machine games which, he got that hobby from his momma and daddy, and most recently you would find him watching the Game Show Network all day until his sports would come on. You also never saw Tommy without some type of sweets or potato chips within arm’s reach and never ever without a cup of black coffee no matter what time of day or night it was. Even in this time of such sorrow, pain, and mourning the family finds needed comfort knowing that for the past year and a half they have been able to spend so much quality time and gain priceless memories with their dad and papa by having him at home with Jenny, Brett, and Mady. Tommy was the caregiver for his momma and dad in 2012-2013 when they needed him and his endless compassion and devotion to their care transferred over to Jenny when the time came for Tommy to need that same thing. Being fortunate enough to be where he wanted and with family until the very last day is what Tommy wanted and received. The family also wants the City of Sonora to know how much they have meant to him and his family for the past 6 years of being part of their small community family. Tommy was preceded in death by his daughter, Laura, and Parents Ernest & Annie Braden. Survivors: Dick Braden of Wall Texas; Peggy Abbott of Katy Texas; Janie Beasley of Wall Texas; Margie Jackson of Wall Texas; Nancy Schwertner of Rowena Texas; Polly Box of San Angelo Texas; and Harry Braden of Wall Texas. Children: Clyda Smith and husband Rickey of Christoval Texas; Jessica Braden of Sonora Texas; Jenny Wipff and husband Brett of Christoval Texas.

Grandchildren: Colby Smith of San Angelo Texas; Jina and Jojo Dooley and Jace Braden of Sonora Texas; Mady Wipff of Christoval Texas. Numerous Aunts, Uncles, Nieces and Nephews and lifelong friends. The Family would also say a very Special Thanks to Hospice of San Angelo and Cindy Brown for their care and love for the past year towards Tommy. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com for the Braden family.