Death date: Jul 23, 2009
Rev. Msgr. Leroy H. Braden, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2009. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rockus Braden and Louise Wendel Braden; and brothers Leon and Lenard Braden. He is survived by his sisters, Mary Louise H Read Obituary
In 1963 when I was born, Msgr. Braden baptized me.
Fr. Braden always called me Margaret because, after all, there is no Saint Peggy and Fr. Fulkerson had baptized me “Margaret”. At St. Christopher’s he taught me how to play volleyball and softball. When we were children, he was the preferred priest for confession. We could always count on his gentle understanding and a penance of 3 Our Fathers and 3 Hail Marys. I was overjoyed to find him as the pastor of St. Helen when my family moved to Pearland in the 1990’s. I loved to hear him say, “and furthermore” and I still believe that he was the most faith-filled man I have ever known.
I first met Father Braden when I joined the Catholic Young Adults club at St. Christopher’s. He later married my wife, Jeanette Peters and myself. He had a very special place in the hearts of all who met him, and he will be missed as the kindly and very religious priest that we all knew. I am sure that God has a very special place reserved for him in Heaven.
He was like a mentor to me at St. Christopher’s School. I went there from Kindergarten till eighth grade. I was an alter boy many years there and absolutely loved to serve when he was there. He was so revered, loved, and cherished by me and so many others. Always forgiving, and so patient with everyone. He will be missed, but never forgotten. Rest in Peace…
Fr. Braden will forever be in my memory. I will always remember his smile, sense of humor, and his sincere desire to help people.
He coached the girls softball team at St. Christopher’s during the 1960’s. My sister, Jackie Bailey, was the catcher. I will be forever grateful for the kindness he showed my sister.
Fr. Leroy, as I always called him, was described as “one of the most priestly priests” by my mother years ago when she was the parish secretary at St. Christopher’s. And she was right. I grew up and went to school at St. Christopher’s during the late fifties and early sixties when Father Leroy and Fr. Hamilton were assistants to Msgr. Fulkerson. “Little Red,” as he was known around the rectory was always a lot of fun and enjoyed being with the youth of the parish.
Over the years, Father was a true friend, burying both my parents and keeping in touch after I moved from Houston. I looked forward to his Christmas letters updating us on his travels. I remember he told us that upon approach to Ireland, it did look from the air as if it was made up of “40 shades of green!”
If anyone can fulfill their vocation in life perfectly, then it would have to be Father Leroy. He loved being a priest and it was evident to everyone who ever came in contact with him.
Our loss is heaven’s gain–and if we are fortunate, he’ll be there to welcome us home one day.
My family was a long time member of St. Christopher’s, where we attended both church and school. Father Leroy Braden was a beloved fixture there with his kindness, his enthusiasm, and his love of God. He may have been a small and humble priest, but he was a spiritual giant. This was evidenced by the long confessional lines always waiting for him! His was a heart for God and for service. Msgr. Braden will always remain in the hearts and prayers of those who were fortunate enough to know him.
: I first met Father Braden when he was a newly ordained Priest at St. Christopher in the early 1950 s and he became a life-long dear friend. And I suspect there are thousands of people that will say Monsignor Braden was a friend.
I would most certainly be there with you for the wake and funeral service except I am leaving today for a European cruise.
One of the many ministries Father Braden had was to the young adults club at St. Christopher in the 1950 s, early 1960 s. And through his leadership many life-long friendships and marriages were formed.
He married my wife and me in 1962 as well as one of our daughters and her husband 32 years later (in Virginia). He would have performed the ceremony for our other daughter except for being on one of the many cruises he and his Priest classmates so enjoyed.
For over twenty-five years, about every year or two, he would spend one to two weeks in Virginia with us, sometimes traveling with another Priest. In 1973 when we acquired a couple hundred acres in the Virginia countryside that s when he seemed to come alive.
Having grown up on a farm, he loved getting on our tractor and I guess it was like he was a boy again. In fact, on his last visit to us some years ago, he was using the weed eater on a hillside and slipped and damaged his leg so badly that I don t think he ever recovered from that injury.
Though Monsignor Braden was not a physically large man, he was a spiritual giant and he was an important influence in my life and in thousands of others — a long life well lived in the service of our Lord.
P.S. Wednesday night I had a dream that a Priest had given me a letter saying Monsignor had died. It was one of those dreams that felt very real.
Msgr. Braden was my colleague and friend. He welcomed me as the new Lutheran pastor to Pearland in 1997 and participated in my installation service demonstrating his ecumenical heart and openess to all through the gospel. He further demonstrated that ecumenical spirit as one of the founders of the Pearland Ministerial Alliance.
His dedication to the well-being of all God’s people living in this community will remain an example to all for many years to come.
Rest in peace, my friend. Your name is written in the Book of Life!
Rev. Dr. Brian K. Gigee, Pastor
New Life Lutheran Church
Pearland, TX
Msgr Braden has meant a lot to our family. He had instructions from and was baptised by him in1953. In 1954 he married my husband and I at Roman Catholic Chapel #2 at Ellington AFT. In 1958 baptised our first son Zeke Metzler. In 1961 baptised our second son Jeff Metzler and in 1981 baptised our first granddaughter. We have the crusifix he gave for us a wedding present hanging in our bedroom. He was truly a blessed man. Our condolences to his family.
