Message from
Jana and Steve Green
Thu, 04/17/2008
We are sorry for your loss. We know Joe will be missed by many. You have our sympathies and prayers.
In Memory of
Joel Henry Braswell "Joe"
Joel H. Braswell, 69, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday April 15. Joe was thankful to be home from the hospital, with his bed looking out onto the garden with “his birds” busy at the feeder and the sound of the waterfall on his fish pond. Joe was able to receive friends on Sunday and enjoy supper surrounded by Sandra, his wife of 47 years, his son Joel and his wife Jeri, and his younger son Mark with his wife Michelle. His 4 year old granddaughter Julianne and 3 year old granddaughter Mary dressed up as princesses and came to their papa for approval. His grandson Matt, age 7, was able to have a last game of checkers with Papa. In the early hours of the next morning, Joe went to sleep and slept until he passed away that afternoon.
Joe loved his two sons very much and they were a great source of pride to him. Joe loved exploring the wilderness of Alaska, The Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier Bay, and Australia and New Zealand with his sons, their wives and
Sandra. His true loves in the animal world were bears (black, brown, grizzly, polar and spirit bears), which he enjoyed video taping and photographing.
Joe, known as “Low Joe” by his poker buddies, wanted all of them as well as his bridge friends and the seniors at Copperfield Baptist Church to know that they all enriched his life with their humor, spirit and joy of living. He said to keep playing guys, delight in each other and each day you have.
A friend sent these words from Loren Eiseley, a paleontologist from Nebraska: “We have joined the caravan, you might say, at a certain point; we will travel as far as we can, but we cannot in one lifetime see all that we would like to see or learn all we hunger to know.” Joe’s love of learning was reflected in his achieving a B.S. degree from Davidson College, a M.S. degree and a PhD. from the University of Georgia, and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Houston.
Mary Johnson, a dear friend of Joe’s, spoke these words from her heart and for the family when she said “may you become an eagle that rides the thermals over Wonder Lake and be free of your earthly ties.” Joe has requested that he be cremated and to have his family revisit Denali Park in Alaska and scatter his ashes on Wonder Lake.
The family wishes to thank Dr. David Sanford and his staff at Oncology Consultants and the doctors and nurses on the 6th floor of Saint Joseph’s Hospital for their kindness, compassion and encouragement.
Friends and family are invited to come to the memorial service (info below), with a celebration of his life to follow. Directions to the celebration will be at the memorial service. Joe did not like the color black; he loved the bright colors of nature and has requested his friends wear a happy rainbow of colors at his service. Leave your tears and sadness at the church door and come to the reception for food, laughter, and any funny stories you’d like to share around the room. Joe said that guys don’t need a tie; he hasn’t worn one since he retired!
Services
Memorial Service
Sun. Apr. 20, 2008
3:00 pm
West Houston Church of Christ (chapel)
17100 West Road
Houston , TX 77095.
3:00 pm
West Houston Church of Christ (chapel)
Houston , TX 77095.
Sun. Apr. 20, 2008
3:00 pm
West Houston Church of Christ (chapel)
17100 West Road
Houston , TX 77095.
Houston , TX 77095.
In Memory of
Joel Henry Braswell "Joe"
Joel H. Braswell, 69, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday April 15. Joe was thankful to be home from the hospital, with his bed looking out onto the garden with “his birds” busy at the feeder and the sound of the waterfall on his fish pond. Joe was able to receive friends on Sunday and enjoy supper surrounded by Sandra, his wife of 47 years, his son Joel and his wife Jeri, and his younger son Mark with his wife Michelle. His 4 year old granddaughter Julianne and 3 year old granddaughter Mary dressed up as princesses and came to their papa for approval. His grandson Matt, age 7, was able to have a last game of checkers with Papa. In the early hours of the next morning, Joe went to sleep and slept until he passed away that afternoon.
Joe loved his two sons very much and they were a great source of pride to him. Joe loved exploring the wilderness of Alaska, The Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier Bay, and Australia and New Zealand with his sons, their wives and
Sandra. His true loves in the animal world were bears (black, brown, grizzly, polar and spirit bears), which he enjoyed video taping and photographing.
Joe, known as “Low Joe” by his poker buddies, wanted all of them as well as his bridge friends and the seniors at Copperfield Baptist Church to know that they all enriched his life with their humor, spirit and joy of living. He said to keep playing guys, delight in each other and each day you have.
A friend sent these words from Loren Eiseley, a paleontologist from Nebraska: “We have joined the caravan, you might say, at a certain point; we will travel as far as we can, but we cannot in one lifetime see all that we would like to see or learn all we hunger to know.” Joe’s love of learning was reflected in his achieving a B.S. degree from Davidson College, a M.S. degree and a PhD. from the University of Georgia, and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Houston.
Mary Johnson, a dear friend of Joe’s, spoke these words from her heart and for the family when she said “may you become an eagle that rides the thermals over Wonder Lake and be free of your earthly ties.” Joe has requested that he be cremated and to have his family revisit Denali Park in Alaska and scatter his ashes on Wonder Lake.
The family wishes to thank Dr. David Sanford and his staff at Oncology Consultants and the doctors and nurses on the 6th floor of Saint Joseph’s Hospital for their kindness, compassion and encouragement.
Friends and family are invited to come to the memorial service (info below), with a celebration of his life to follow. Directions to the celebration will be at the memorial service. Joe did not like the color black; he loved the bright colors of nature and has requested his friends wear a happy rainbow of colors at his service. Leave your tears and sadness at the church door and come to the reception for food, laughter, and any funny stories you’d like to share around the room. Joe said that guys don’t need a tie; he hasn’t worn one since he retired!
Charitable Donations may be made to:
World Wildlife Fund
1250 Twenty-Fourth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20090-7180.
Website Link
Tributes
Message from
Denise
Thu, 04/17/2008
I am sorry to read about the passing of your love one. I send my sincere condolences to the family and friends. When the enemy death strikes our grief can be great. It is at times like this that we need comfort and support whether we are acquainted or not. May you rely on the Father of tender mercies, the God of all Comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations. Yes, Our Heavenly Father has promised to sustain you, because He cares. You also have many wonderful memories to cherish. Hold on to the memories that you have, for all has not been forgotten. Almighty God has promised in the near future to bring about the ‘resurrection’. Yes, your dearly beloved one will not be forgotten by you or our Heavenly Father, Jehovah. (Acts 24:15 Psalm 37: 29). May the scriptures at Revelation 21: 1-5 prove to be a source of great comfort for you now and in the days to come. Once again, you have my sincere condolences
Message from
Jack & Darlene Stich
Thu, 04/17/2008
Sandra,
It doesn't seem possible that we all have been friends for 24 years now. You,Joe,Jack and I have had so many fun times together over the years. We will miss him so much. He was such a great guy, so thoughtful, considerate and kind. We won't ever be able to play Mexican Train without thinking of Joe and how much he loved it. We love you and we are praying for you.
Darlene and Jack
Message from
Joyce K. Saylan
Thu, 04/17/2008
Sandra, my heartfelt sympathies go out to you and your family. Joe will be missed and always remembered as a gentle, warm, and loving man. He has left behind a wonderful family as his legacy.
My condolences to all.
Message from
Heidi and Deane Quinter and children
Thu, 04/17/2008
Dear Aunt Sandra, Joel and Jeri, Mark and Michelle, and all
those precious children,
I am so sorry Uncle Joe lost his battle but he put up a great
fight I'm sure. He was such a thoughtful, giving person and
I know he will be missed by you!
I wish we could be out there to help comfort you guys, but don't let the distance keep us from giving each and everyone of you a big hug of comfort.
I'm so glad we got to spend some time with Uncle Joe last summer up in Helen. It was a great afternoon and going to
the big place up in Unicoi to eat.
Uncle Joe was crazy about his grandkids, I could tell how
he was so proud of them.
Take care and talk to you soon,
Love,
Heidi, Deane, Cheyne, Adrienne, and Russell
Message from
Greg & Ainsley Chitwood
Thu, 04/17/2008
Sandra and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was a truly wonderful man and I wish we had known you both longer. Our prayers are with you and wish you only fond memories.
Message from
Rob, Angie, Kelly, Shea Hancock
Fri, 04/18/2008
The honorary title of Low Joe was dubbed by all of the Poker buddies one night after Joe won another low hand. It was Rob, Roger Neal, Brad Fisher, Mike Cole and Joe Gillen at the time.... later, at a birthday party for Joe, the guys gave Joe a framed set of cards with the Ace, 2 3, 4, and 6, Joe's classic low hand....Joe was no brag, just fact, about his skill at the low game....Years before that, Shea Hancock, then 5, was asked to play a baseball game with older boys of 7...immediately upon finding out of the chance to play in his first game ( as a fill in for the older boys team ), Shea, on his own and much to the surprise of Angie and Rob, walked next door to Joe's, rang the bell and asked Joe if he would come watch him play...and Joe did on a very cool and damp Spring evening...Angie, Kelly, Shea and Rob are all speechless about the passing of Joe, as words cannot fully express what a very nice guy he was !
Message from
Tom Chelton
Fri, 04/18/2008
In the many years that we played poker Joe was the only guy that made you feel good about losing your money to him. He was a kind and gentle person except if you were playing cards with him. Beth and I send our deepest condolences to Sandra, Joel and Mark and their families
Message from
Mary Grace Queen Calhoun
Fri, 04/18/2008
Dear Sandra, Joel, and Mark,
As a faraway cousin in south Florida, I want to send my sincerest love and hugs to you to let you know that your husband and father meant alot to my family through the years. My father, Hugh Queen, your grandmother Gin Braswell's brother loved each other so much and I shall never forget that funeral because it was my very first funeral ever. When we had our Queen cousin's beach retreat in May '05, I was able to visit with Joe and Sandra and get to know them again. I will have to say that Joe was one of the finest men in our family with his intellect, dry wit, big smile, and kidding nature. May I on behalf of Bud Queen's children, tell you that I am so deeply saddened and will forever be touched by knowing him. The obituary was the most beautiful written I have ever read. Thank you, Sandra for being a part of our family and including us in such an intimate picture. I felt like I was really there in his last few days on this earth. I only wish we could have all traveled with you since it was his love and passion. Love, Mary Grace
Message from
Debbie Seidel
Sat, 04/19/2008
Joel
I am sorry to learn about the loss of your dad. Please know our prayers our with you and your family.
Message from
Bob & Renee Johnson
Sun, 04/20/2008
Sandra, Joel and Mark,
Please accept our deepest condolences at the passing of Joe. We have lifted him in prayer for many months and know in our hearts that he is with the Lord and smiling down upon you each and every day.
May you see him in everything you do and enjoy the many memories you have of him and the blessings he shared with you during his time with us.
Take comfort in knowing that while this time is very difficult it will soon be replaced by cherished memories and the warmth that it provides.
Love,
Bob, Renee, Madeleine and Noah Johnson
Message from
Rob Hancock
Sun, 04/20/2008
Actually, in my grief I neglected to include Tom Chelton as an old Poker buddy. It was, in fact, Mr. Tom that I believe dubbed Joe as Low Joe.
Message from
Gin Sorrow
Mon, 04/21/2008
Dear Aunt Sandra, Joel & Mark,
I am so sorry. I have such wonderful memories of Uncle Joe and all of my visits to your house when I was growing up. Please know my thougths and prayers are with all of you.
Message from
Yvonne Buff
Mon, 04/21/2008
I met Joe and Sandra on a wonderful trip to Churchill last November and they helped to make my trip extra special, one I will never forget. Joe telling jokes gave us all so many laughs. Even though I only was in Joe's presents a short time I could see his gentle and kind spirit. Sandra I am so profoundly sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts. I am so happy that Joe and you touched my life.
Message from
Randy D. Holt
Tue, 04/22/2008
Sandra and Family,
I have known Joel for over 10 yrs. and even though we were not the closest of friends, I always enjoyed his passion when he spoke of his wonderful vacations in Alaska surrounded by his beautiful bears and wildwife. Each and every time that we would meet, Joel had a large collection of the most beautiful Alaska countryside with the most amazing pictures of bears that you would ever see. I can see his eyes light up when describing each picture in detail to me. Joel, gave me a picture of the Spirit bear from his personal collection that I will cherish for the rest of my life. His explained to me how the Spirit bear got it's name and what it meant to the regional tribes of Alaska. I believe Joel loved appreciated life and everything that it had to offer and I also believe Joel is much like the Spirit bear and he will be remembered. Joel's spirit will forever continue to live within us. We are all blessed and better people by knowing Joel.
Message from
Roger Neal
Sun, 04/27/2008
Joe was a dear friend, a neighbor, a confidant, and a poker buddy who touched my life in many ways over the past 24 years that I have known him. His quiet and unassuming nature was his strength (and also usually cost me a lot playing against him at the poker table!). I always admired his professional knowledge and wisdom, and he never failed to amaze me with his passion. I watched Joe and realized that I learned from him that you can be both an intellectual man and a passionate man. His spirit and his love for the outdoors and wildlife was wonderful and so evident by the fire in his eyes when he talked of his trips. He was a special and wonderful man, and I will miss him dearly.
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