Ralph Durward Braren died on July 14, 1965, at the age of 21, in Racine, Wisconsin, from a motorcycle accident.
Ralph was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, the first born son of Walter R. and Louise Reddick Braren. His family later moved to Wakulla, FL, his mother's hometown. He attended school in Crawfordville, FL from the first through the third grades. His family then moved to Levittown, PA, where his father was a superintendent, building homes in Levittown.
In 1956, he moved with his family to Kingston, New York, where again, his father built many homes. He lived in a huge old house on an old farm and found life in the country to be exciting. He made many dear friends at Immanuel Lutheran School, and met Martha, his first love.
In March, 1959, when he was 15, his family returned to Crawfordville, Florida. He lived there until he joined the United States Navy at the age of 18. Ralph served in the Navy the last three years of his life. He had finished his tour of duty and was planning to return home, when the accident happened. His family had not seen him in over a year and were looking forward excitedly to his return. What a sad day for them, when they learned of his death.
Ralph's survivors included his father, Walter R. Braren, Jr.; mother, Louise Reddick Braren; two sisters, Elma and JB; one brother, Buddy; paternal grandmother, Myrle M. Mastaglio and her husband John; and maternal grandmother, Lillie Mae Reddick.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, James Durward Reddick, Sr.
In the short 21 years that Ralph was on this earth, he lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed adventure and made the most of his time while serving his country. He was also a very caring person who was loyal to, and protective of, those he loved. He had a kind heart for those in need. His untimely death was absolutely crushing to his family and friends, and he will be forever missed.
Ralph's mother, Eleanor Louise Reddick Graddick, passed away on 29 June 2012 and was buried next to him on 2 July 2012.
Ralph was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, the first born son of Walter R. and Louise Reddick Braren. His family later moved to Wakulla, FL, his mother's hometown. He attended school in Crawfordville, FL from the first through the third grades. His family then moved to Levittown, PA, where his father was a superintendent, building homes in Levittown.
In 1956, he moved with his family to Kingston, New York, where again, his father built many homes. He lived in a huge old house on an old farm and found life in the country to be exciting. He made many dear friends at Immanuel Lutheran School, and met Martha, his first love.
In March, 1959, when he was 15, his family returned to Crawfordville, Florida. He lived there until he joined the United States Navy at the age of 18. Ralph served in the Navy the last three years of his life. He had finished his tour of duty and was planning to return home, when the accident happened. His family had not seen him in over a year and were looking forward excitedly to his return. What a sad day for them, when they learned of his death.
Ralph's survivors included his father, Walter R. Braren, Jr.; mother, Louise Reddick Braren; two sisters, Elma and JB; one brother, Buddy; paternal grandmother, Myrle M. Mastaglio and her husband John; and maternal grandmother, Lillie Mae Reddick.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, James Durward Reddick, Sr.
In the short 21 years that Ralph was on this earth, he lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed adventure and made the most of his time while serving his country. He was also a very caring person who was loyal to, and protective of, those he loved. He had a kind heart for those in need. His untimely death was absolutely crushing to his family and friends, and he will be forever missed.
Ralph's mother, Eleanor Louise Reddick Graddick, passed away on 29 June 2012 and was buried next to him on 2 July 2012.
Ralph Durward Braren died on July 14, 1965, at the age of 21, in Racine, Wisconsin, from a motorcycle accident.
Ralph was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, the first born son of Walter R. and Louise Reddick Braren. His family later moved to Wakulla, FL, his mother's hometown. He attended school in Crawfordville, FL from the first through the third grades. His family then moved to Levittown, PA, where his father was a superintendent, building homes in Levittown.
In 1956, he moved with his family to Kingston, New York, where again, his father built many homes. He lived in a huge old house on an old farm and found life in the country to be exciting. He made many dear friends at Immanuel Lutheran School, and met Martha, his first love.
In March, 1959, when he was 15, his family returned to Crawfordville, Florida. He lived there until he joined the United States Navy at the age of 18. Ralph served in the Navy the last three years of his life. He had finished his tour of duty and was planning to return home, when the accident happened. His family had not seen him in over a year and were looking forward excitedly to his return. What a sad day for them, when they learned of his death.
Ralph's survivors included his father, Walter R. Braren, Jr.; mother, Louise Reddick Braren; two sisters, Elma and JB; one brother, Buddy; paternal grandmother, Myrle M. Mastaglio and her husband John; and maternal grandmother, Lillie Mae Reddick.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, James Durward Reddick, Sr.
In the short 21 years that Ralph was on this earth, he lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed adventure and made the most of his time while serving his country. He was also a very caring person who was loyal to, and protective of, those he loved. He had a kind heart for those in need. His untimely death was absolutely crushing to his family and friends, and he will be forever missed.
Ralph's mother, Eleanor Louise Reddick Graddick, passed away on 29 June 2012 and was buried next to him on 2 July 2012.
Ralph was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, the first born son of Walter R. and Louise Reddick Braren. His family later moved to Wakulla, FL, his mother's hometown. He attended school in Crawfordville, FL from the first through the third grades. His family then moved to Levittown, PA, where his father was a superintendent, building homes in Levittown.
In 1956, he moved with his family to Kingston, New York, where again, his father built many homes. He lived in a huge old house on an old farm and found life in the country to be exciting. He made many dear friends at Immanuel Lutheran School, and met Martha, his first love.
In March, 1959, when he was 15, his family returned to Crawfordville, Florida. He lived there until he joined the United States Navy at the age of 18. Ralph served in the Navy the last three years of his life. He had finished his tour of duty and was planning to return home, when the accident happened. His family had not seen him in over a year and were looking forward excitedly to his return. What a sad day for them, when they learned of his death.
Ralph's survivors included his father, Walter R. Braren, Jr.; mother, Louise Reddick Braren; two sisters, Elma and JB; one brother, Buddy; paternal grandmother, Myrle M. Mastaglio and her husband John; and maternal grandmother, Lillie Mae Reddick.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, James Durward Reddick, Sr.
In the short 21 years that Ralph was on this earth, he lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed adventure and made the most of his time while serving his country. He was also a very caring person who was loyal to, and protective of, those he loved. He had a kind heart for those in need. His untimely death was absolutely crushing to his family and friends, and he will be forever missed.
Ralph's mother, Eleanor Louise Reddick Graddick, passed away on 29 June 2012 and was buried next to him on 2 July 2012.
Inscription
Florida FA US Navy
