Don L Braithwaite

Don L Braithwaite was reunited with, Norma, his sweet wife of 67 years on October 24, 2019 at the age of 97. Don was born on May 18, 1922 in Payson, Utah to Eugene and Ruby Schramm Braithwaite. He had an older brother, Glen, and three younger sisters: Marie, Anna Mae, and Mary Lou. Don graduated from Payson High School in 1940 and joined the National Guard with some friends. They were activated and sent to Camp San Luis Obispo, CA for training when the attack on Pearl Harbor thrust them into World War II. Don and friends served the entire war, nearly 4 years, in the Pacific theater. He returned home in September of 1945 and made "the best decision of his life" marrying Norma Johnson of Benjamin, UT. They were sealed in the Logan Temple in December of 1945 and made Payson their home. Their first children were JoAnn and David. Don graduated from BYU in Agronomy and got a job with the Bureau of Land Management in Huron, South Dakota. While there his daughter, Nila, was born. They moved to Grand Junction, Colorado and then back to Payson where Norval joined their family. In 1952 Don switched to the Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service which was better for his fami...[more]

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His job took them to Richfield, Loa, and Panguitch in southern Utah. While in Loa they welcomed two more sons, Fred and Barry. In 1963 Don and family moved to Box Elder County. He loved working with the ranchers and farmers and helping them to improve their rangeland and farms. Don and Norma always planted a large garden. Moving to northern Utah enabled them to grow almost anything they wanted. Don's favorite diversion was deer hunting with family and friends. Don's finished his career in the Grantsville Soil Conservation District. He commuted home to Perry weekends until he retired in 1977. He then sold real estate with Wheeler Realty in Perry. With a downturn in housing sales, Don started selling Fuller Brush products. He did so well that he was asked to head a Utah/Idaho sales district which he did for 6 years with much success. Don and Norma greatly enjoyed being grandparents and they developed close relationships with many of their grandchildren. Don was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he served in many ward and stake callings. They were couple missionaries in the Macon Georgia Mission in 1991 and officiators in the Ogden Utah Temple. Don sang all his life. When younger he often sang solos in church. He and Norma sang in ward choirs. He loved to sing to his assisted living caretakers and family who came to visit. Don is survived by four children, JoAnn (Sam) Kunzler of Willard, David (Lani) of Perry, Norval of Bountiful, and Barry (Karen) of Perry. Also, 35 grandchildren, 93 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Those greeting him on the other side of the veil include Fred Braithwaite and Nila Forsberg, two grandsons, and one great-grandson. The family wishes to thank Maple Springs for the loving care they gave to our father for many years. A viewing will be held two days prior to the funeral in the Gillies Funeral Chapel at 634 E 200 S in Brigham City, UT on Wednesday, Oct 30, 2019 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. On Friday, Nov 1st, there will be a viewing from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Willard Chapel on 80 N 100 W in Willard, UT. The funeral will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Willard Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Box Elder Combined Veterans Honor Guard. Send condolences to www.gfc-utah.com