August 22, 1933 - August 11, 2020
Richard Allen “Dick” Braman, age 86, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at his home in Ashley.
Dick was born on August 22, 1933, in Crystal, Michigan, the son of Marvin and Edith (Clark) Braman. He graduated from Ithaca High School with the class of 1952. In his own words, on June 14, 1952, he celebrated the greatest accomplishment of his life when he married his bride Glenda Monk, “the most beautiful girl” he had ever seen. The were blessed with 68 years of marriage and four children.
In 1959 Dick and Glenda received their first Shorthorn cows as payment on a debt. They fell in love with the breed and decided to get a few for their children. Those few quickly became nearly 300 head. Dick and Glenda accomplished many “firsts” for the cattle industry. They were the first in the state of Michigan to performance test cattle and were the first to combine purebred milking Shorthorn and beef Shorthorn genetics. In 1968 the Braman family was presented with the Builder of the Breed award from the National Shorthorn Association. In 1972 they purchased an outstanding bull in Thornwood Major. This bull helped put Just-A-Few Farms on the map and quickly established their herd as a national force. Shorthorn cattle bred by Just-A-Few Farms were sought after throughout the U.S. and Canada. Dick served as a member of the Board of Directors for the American Shorthorn Association for several years and breeders throughout the country will tell you how he was the one that got them started in the cattle industry, sold them their first Shorthorn cow, or convinced them that the red, white and roan was the way to go.
At the same time Dick started working for the Zephyr Oil company of Muskegon. In 1966 Dick and Glenda bought into the business and the Braman Oil Company was established. Dick and Glenda grew their business while raising their family. At one time the business employed seven full time employees. In 1995 when Dick retired the company was sold.
Dick always believed that a person should give back to the community from which he made a living. Dick was a member of and served as Ad Council Chair for the Pompeii United Methodist Church for 41 years. Dick and Glenda delivered for Meals on Wheels for 22 years. He was the secretary/treasurer of the Michigan Shorthorn Breeders Association for 35 years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Gratiot Agricultural Society for 28 years and was a driving force in establishing the G.A.S. Scramble Committee. Dick Served on Michigan State University’s Michigan Livestock Industry Scholarship Foundation selection committee for 20 years and was named an MSU Block and Bridle Honoree in 1986. The National Shorthorn Show was dedicated in his honor in 1995, Dick and Glenda were presented with the Michigan Cattlemen’s Association Purebred Breeders of the Year award in 2002, and they were named the Gratiot County Rural Urban Days Farm Family of the Year in 2008.
Dick was known to have a tough exterior. Even being described as “crusty” on at least one occasion. But during one particular interview he told the author that his grandchildren had given him the most joy in the last year. That the last time he cried was a month ago in church when the Pastor told about starting people in the world. And he was quick to point out how amazing his bride was. Saying Glenda was always the strong one in the family. When asked what was the greatest thing he ever did for another person he replied, “I never done anything great. I’m no hero. I’m no hero to anybody.” There are some that would respectfully disagree.
Dick is survived by his wife Glenda of Ashley, sister Suzy Pritchard of Titusville, Florida, son Kipp Braman of Ithaca, son David (Maria) Johnson of Panama City Beach, Florida, son-in-laws Jim Falor of Ithaca and Skip Bongard of Ashley.
Also surviving him are his grandchildren Boa Bongard of Ashley, Josh Braman of Lansing, Jennifer (Steven) Taylor of Ashley, Jacob (Lacie) Braman of Ithaca, JJ (Megan) Falor of Sumner, Kelsey Nelson of Alma, Menda (Ryan) Ziem of Florida, Melissa (Brandon) Stewart of Hawaii, nine great grand children and many nieces and nephews.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Wanda Sherman and Elizabeth Eichorn, daughters Linda Bongard and Kerry Falor, and daughter-in-law Patricia Braman.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pompeii United Methodist Church. The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home of Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.
4 Post Condolences
Larry James Davis, 74, of Ithaca, Michigan passed away Thursday, August 20, 2020 at Gratiot Medical Center in Alma
Larry was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, uncle, and brother. He was a very dedicated family man and worker. He was an avid hot rod enthusiast. He enjoyed going to many car shows. 
