Charles Harry Braden

Charles "Chuck" Harry Braden was born on 10/3/46 to Henrietta & Roy Braden in Broken Bow, Nebraska. He made his physical transition at Collier Hospice on 11/23/14, after a courageous battle with lung cancer, which was diagnosed on 8/1/14 by the late Wilson Bourg, M.D. Chuck was 68 years old. His beautiful Celebration of Life was held by the good folks at Aspen Mortuary, with Dr. Rev. Patty Luckenbach officiating, at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3, with proud Ft. Logan military honors following at 1:30. Chuck unselfishly donated his corneas to an ophthalmic organization, so that someone else might see. Chuck spent most of his younger years growing up in the beautiful state of Nebraska, in small towns like Arcadia & St. Paul. He then volunteered to join the Marine Corps, where he spent his next 4 years in Viet Nam and various Marine bases after high school graduation. He served as a radio scout, guiding his fellow Marines and calling in air strikes. Several years later, he joined the Colorado Army National Guard, where he proudly was selected to co-pilot the OH-6 helicopters as an aero-observer scout. This was a respected honor to have the pilots' trust to take over the controls in any type of emergency. He enjoyed scout duties immensely for the next 15 years and then settled down to a more sedate home life with his life partner/significant other Kathy Hixson and their many furry and winged animals. While in the Colorado Army National Guard, he was hired by the City of Wheat Ridge, where he worked for 33 years as a surveyor, inspector, and engineering technician. He was loved and respected by all there, and he returned that same love and respect to his work family, as well. He loved his job, his co-workers, & was committed to integrity and honor in the workplace. His work family, friends, and home families will miss him very much, but will continue to honor him with love and respect every day. He is survived by his brother Lou, Lou's wife Nancy, sister Marilyn Palu, nephew Lee, Lee's wife Stephanie, great niece Makayla, life partner Kathy Hixson, and Kathy's family of her brother Wayne, wife Kathy, niece Jessica, and nephew Christopher. Chuck also is missed by his "adopted" brother & sister Dave & Mary Anne Brossman and his rescued animal family, comprised of our little dog Della, kitties Buff, Gracie, & Smokey, and cockatiels Eddie & Zeke. Semper Fi, Sgt. Braden. We will love & miss you always. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Kind donations may be sent to National Mill Dog Rescue, 5335 J.D. Johnson Rd., Peyton, CO, 80831; the US Marine Corps Memorial Association, P.O. Box 1803, Wheat Ridge, CO, 80034; the St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, MT, 59004; St. Joseph's Indian School, P.O. Box 326, Chamberlain, SD, 57326; or any veterans' assistance organization. Condolences to Kathy Hixson at [email protected] or to his brother at [email protected] Obituary lovingly composed by his partner of 25 years, Kathy Hixson.