|
Kenneth Richard Braziel, 75, died at his home in Santa Fe of a massive heart attack on Tuesday, March 17. Marvel, his wife of 53 years, was with him. He skied with dear friends at the Santa Fe Ski Basin the day before his death. Ken lived a full and joyful life. He was born in Gebo, Wyoming in 1922 and raised in Billings, Montana, where he married Marvel, his high school sweetheart, in 1944. They married when he was home on leave during WWII, and within days he returned to his duties. He was a lead navigator in the Army Air Corps and flew 33 missions over Germany. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and he retired from the Army Reserves as a Colonel. After the war, Kenneth and Marvel graduated from the University of Montana at Bozeman. He earned degrees in liberal arts and engineering. Ken and Marvel came to New Mexico in 1955, where they raised their four children. Ken was a longtime employee of the Department of Energy and he was serving as the Manager of the Department of Energy in Los Alamos when he retired in 1982. He was known by his colleagues as a leader of great integrity. Ken is celebrated by those who knew him for his devotion to his family. His love for his wife was legendary and his honesty, humility and honor were a touchstone for those around him. He found great joy on the ski slopes, the tennis court, and in his home and friendships. He was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and of Self Help for the Hard of Hearing (SHHH), an organization founded to support people with hearing loss. Ken had a significant hearing loss, had received a cochlear implant and took an active interest in related matters. He is survived by his wife, Marvel; daughter, Kathryn Braziel and her partner, Elizabeth Doak; son, Richard and his wife, Rita Brzaiel and their children, Jennifer, Kenneth and Laura of Albuquerque; daughter, Rita Braziel and her husband, Keith Lanier and their children, Andy, Nikki and Ginny of Portland, OR; daughter, Janet Braziel and her husband, Robert Lynn and their children, Jack and Charlie of Corrales; sisters, Ruth Braziel and Zola Betz of Denver; a brother, Wayne Braziel and his wife, Helen of Billings, MT; and niece, Evelyn McClearn and her husband, Bill of Denver, CO. Cremation has taken place. Services will be held on Saturday, March 21, 1:00 p.m., at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith, 311 East Palace Avenue, Santa Fe. Donations may be made to SHHH, Care of Betty Meador, 2899 Calle de Molina, Santa Fe 87505. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 1399 Luisa, Santa Fe, 984-8600.
|
