David Jean Braden MD

David was born on the 30th of June 1927 at St. Joseph Infirmary and was the youngest of five children of Albert Henry Braden, M.D., and Kathleen O’Connor Braden. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Albert H. Braden, Jr., M.D., Joseph Charles Braden, Father Patrick O’Connor Braden, CSB, his sister Kathleen Braden Eichelberger, and granddaughter Ayala Braden. He was blessed by a nurturing family and had many memories of his boyhood experiences particularly with his brother, Father Patrick O’Connor Braden, CSB.

Following graduation from St. Thomas High School, David graduated from The Rice Institute in 1949; his time at Rice was interrupted by a 13-month stint in the U.S. Naval Reserve until World War II ended. In 1953 he graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, following in the footsteps of his father and oldest brother Albert H. Braden, Jr., M.D. In 1957, after completion of training at Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas and The Baylor/Veteran’s Administration Hospital Program in Houston, he joined his oldest brother, Albert, in the practice of internal medicine later to be joined by his nephew, Albert H. Braden, III M.D.

On the 2nd of July 1952 he married the love of his life, Jane White, a fourth generation Houstonian with whom he had four children who survive him: David Jean Braden, Jr. PhD, Anne Braden, Charles White (Elizabeth) Braden, and Sara Braden (Jim) Hill. They in turn produced 9 children: Eva Braden Zachor, Marla Braden Rand, Ayala Braden (deceased), Lauren Holmes Chavira, Bruce Holmes, Berkley Braden, Chad Braden, Drew Hill, and Braden Hill. He was extremely proud of them. He is also survived by 6 great grandchildren and many close nieces and nephews. Dave and Jane had been married for 72 years prior to his death.

Dr. Braden served on the staff, Executive Committee and Board of Governors of St. Joseph Hospital as well as the staff of The Houston Methodist Hospital. He retired in 2007 after thoroughly enjoying 50 years of practice with highly rewarding years of direct care of his patients and their families as he was interested in every aspect of their lives and in their total well-being. He had delightful memories of years of informal gatherings of his small singing group of close friends. Their renditions of old and new songs with accompaniment of guitars, harmonicas, a limber-Jack, and a wash tub as well as harmonious voices would go on sometimes into the early morning hours. The songs included patriotic ones from World Wars I and II, hymns and good country music. As a member of The Houston Country Club, he enjoyed many years of tennis with family and friends; also, many weekends were spent at his homes in Galveston and Salado, Texas.

After retirement, David enjoyed staying abreast of medical advances, reading, gardening for pleasure, traveling to see his four children and nine grandchildren, as well as serving actively on committees benefiting The University of St. Thomas, The John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science and The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency.

A Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at ten o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 28th of March at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1800 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Peter Wood is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Parish Hall.

The family will gather for a private committal at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Dr. David J. Braden’s name may be directed to The John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science, 1515 Hermann Dr., Houston, Texas 77004 or by visiting https://thehealthmuseum.org/.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolences with his family by selecting the “Add a Memory” icon below.