James William Braman was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 30, 1956. His parents, Bob and Gloria Braman, moved their family along with Jim's new little brother, Bob Jr., to South Holland, Illinois in 1959. They moved to Tampa, Florida in the summer of 1967 when Bob Sr. accepted a Chemistry Professor position at the University of South Florida.
As a young boy, Jim spent every waking moment outside. He loved exploring and playing games and enjoyed spending summer days on his grandparents' Michigan farm. Jim excelled in scouting, highlighted by being selected to the National Jamboree and earning his Eagle Scout award. Scouting nourished Jim’s love of nature and the outdoors and he became a lifelong hiker, notably hiking most of the Appalachian Trail. Jim was also a runner, often running in races, marathons, and even a 100-mile marathon. Jim’s healthy lifestyle included a passion for nutrition and he found joy in sharing his knowledge with others.
Like his father, Jim excelled in the sciences and was accepted to the University of Florida in 1974. Jim married Kathy Thompson in 1982, attended Palmer Chiropractic College shortly after their marriage, then practiced many years as a chiropractor. Jim and Kathy were blessed with two lovely children, Jim and Sarah.
Jim married Debbie Kostedt 2011, and they moved to Ecuador in 2012. Kathy married Art Meza in 2018; Kathy and Art live in Raleigh, NC.
Jim began doing chiropractic adjustments in the Central Park of a quaint mountain valley named Vilcabamba where he and Debbie lived for seven years. The residents of the village, both Ecuadorian and "gringo", all loved Jim; he became somewhat of a folk-hero and an integral part of the community. He learned the language well and used it to help people to connect, Ecuadorians and gringos, and encouraged all to do good in the valley.
Jim had many friends and loved to have deep conversations. He questioned everything and always wanted to know the truth. He loved his Creator above all and longed to serve Him in every way. Jim practiced a lifestyle of communication with Jesus Christ and longed for the day he would see His face. Nevertheless, he was stunned at the turn in his health and prayed for healing. Sometimes the answer to a prayer is "No", so Jim and Debbie had to accept a temporary interruption, but "only for a moment".
Jim is survived by his wife, Debbie; mother, Gloria of Tallahassee; son, Jim (Emily) of Baltimore; daughter, Sarah of Raleigh; two lovely grandchildren, AJ and Lily of Baltimore; brother, Bob, Jr. (Debbie) of Tallahassee; nephews, Steven and Tyler of Tallahassee; brother-in-law Fred (Patty) of Greensboro; and countless friends.
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor 2:9
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