Arnold Larry Braasch

Arnold Larry "Yogi" Braasch went to be with our Lord, Friday April 24, 2026. He was born in Sidney, Nebraska, the son of Arnold and Letha Segelke Braasch on March 25, 1940. He married Phyllis Hiers Braasch on September 3, 1977.

He served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He attended U.S. Army Signal School at Fort Monmouth, NJ, and Universal Trades School In Omaha, NE, and was Honorably Discharged on July 20, 1961.

Arnold was initiated as a pipefitter into U.A. Local #469, Plumbers, Pipefitters, Sprinkler Fitters, & HVAC Techs Union, in Phoenix, AZ, on February 1,1963. He retired on January 1, 1999, and became a Life Member (50 years) on February 1, 2013. He attained 63 years of service on February 1, 2026.

He loved his family, and he loved people; but he had a special fondness for dogs. He knew the names of ALL of his neighbor's dogs in Ahwatukee and Mesa, while their owner’s names often remained sketchy.

After retirement, Arnold also had time to indulge his love of cars, guns, and knives. While an active member of the Arizona Knife Collectors Association (AKCA), he was also a very skilled "whittler" and many count themselves fortunate to possess his "one-of-a-kind" walking sticks. He was also an active member of the Arizona Classic Thunderbird Club, the Rim Country Classic Auto Club, and the Tri-Lakes Cruisers, for many years, making lifelong friendships while restoring and driving his beloved 1955 T-bird and 1946 Ford Coupe.

He was active at Good Shepherd Anglican Church and served as support for non-denominational Eucharist services at Emerald Grove Assisted Living.

Arnold is survived by his wife, Phyllis Braasch, son, Arnie Braasch, daughters, Jestina (Tina) (Billy Michael) Holder, Deborah (Darren) Zizek, Sheila Braasch, and step-son, Brian Hiers, grandchildren, Quentin Holder, Alicia (Nikki) Holder, Scott (Tori) Zizek, Brian (Bub) (Rhina) Schleicher, Desirae (Desi), (Joseph) Lizarraga, Christina Salas, and Logan Hiers, great-grandchildren, Aliyah Salas, Shaylee and Bria Zizek, Owen and Emma Holder, Chloe and Zoey Schleicher, and Ascher and Thaine Lizarraga. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 10:00 -11:00 am, with a light lunch following at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park, 6747 E. Broadway Rd. Mesa, AZ. Interment of ashes will be at 10:00 am, Monday, June 1, 2026.