Thomas Matthew Braun passed away March 3, 2011 after a courageous battle with pneumonia resulting from two major surgeries. He was born in Hobart, Oklahoma on January 1, 1916, to Joseph Braun and Clara Reneau (later Heppler). He lost his father in 1923 and was raised for a short time at the St Joseph's Orphanage, along with his two younger siblings. As a teenager during the Depression, he spent much time in various jobs including two large country paper routes to assist the family with finances. From early on, he was keen on invention, designing a crystal radio that picked up police calls and later, redesigning a riveting machine reducing time and labor while working at Douglas aircraft facility.
Tom married Catto Sabolich in 1939 and as caretaker at the McBride Bone & Joint Hospital, he became interested in orthopedics, attended OSU and began his career founding Braun's Brace and Surgical Appliance Company becoming the cornerstone of Bone & Joint Hospital. He was instrumental in the development of the McBride hip joint and the Braun's Surgery Table is still used today. When he moved his business next to Kaiser's on 10th Street, the homeless knew they could always get a meal at the Boulevard, compliments of Tommy Braun. In 1970, he received a 25 Year Business Leadership Award from Governor Boren.
He was a loving and devoted husband and father and a creative man who enjoyed woodwork, gardening, golfing and his Cessna airplane. He had quite a reputation for his bee farming, having had an apiary since his early 20's. Even at 94, he still enjoyed tinkering and has patents pending. In 2010, he was presented with the Well-Preserved Oklahoman Award.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Catto, of 67 years; a sister, Stella Braun; brother, Robert Braun; grandson, Mario Briceno; and great grandson, Matthew Devonshire. He is survived by sisters, Lucille (Braun) Watkins, Mary Lou Khoury, Rose Anne Runyon, and Josephine Layton; a step-brother Arthur Maurer, and many nieces and nephews.
Tom leaves behind two children, Linda Briceno-Uhles and husband, Jim; Karen McLane-Cargile and husband, Lee - 3 grandchildren, Elena Devonshire and husband, Tom; Yvette Pierce and husband, John; and Adriana McLane-Murphy and husband, Cary; as well as 6 great-grandchildren; Alicia, Zachary, Jacob, Damian, Bella Shea, and Draven. Visitation with the family will be at a prayer service 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 7, at Bill Merritt Funeral Service, 6201 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, Ok. 73008. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 8, 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1901 N. W. 18th St. Tom grew up in hard times and was always giving a helping hand to those less fortunate through many charities. In honor of his generosity, please consider a contribution to the City Rescue Mission in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements under the direction of Bill Merritt Funeral Service, Bethany, OK.
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