Walter R "Walt" Braun

Walter R. “Walt” Braun, 78, of Marysville, died Sunday, August 10, 2014.

He was born June 11, 1936 in Detroit to the late Fritz and Johanna Braun. He married Shirley Vermilya on August 17, 1957 in Onaway.

Walt graduated from Romeo High School in 1952 and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Central Michigan University. He coached at Brown City and Oxford High Schools before moving to Maryville in 1965 where he taught physical education and coached a number of sports, most notably football. In 43 years of football coaching, 33 of which were at Marysville, he posted a 300-98-3 record, placing him 9th in total wins among Michigan High School coaches. Walt’s teams won two state championships, four regional championships, made seven playoff appearances, had eight untied regular seasons and won 19 SCAL championships. He was Past President of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association and was named MHSFCA Regional Coach of the Year nine times, State Coach of the Year twice and was the only coach from Michigan ever named National Coach of the Year. He was inducted into the MHSFCA Hall of Fame in 1984 and was the first Detroit Free Press Sports Figure of the Year in 1986. He received the Jim Crowley Award in 1992, the highest honor given by the MHSFCA. Walt enjoyed swimming, fishing, playing cards and having lunch at the Junction Buoy.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shirley; two sons, Barry (Rochelle) Braun and Scott (Kristen) Braun; eight grandchildren, Bailey Braun, Barry Braun, Jr., Justin (Patricia) Forester, Kortney (Paul) Dettloff, Derek Braun, James Braun, Mikayla Warner and Easton Warner; six great grandchildren, Jared, Ceceilia, Justin Jr., Kyleigh, Harmony and Braden; a brother, Jon Braun; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Fred Braun.

Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Wednesday and 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Thursday in the Marysville Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 15, 2014 in Walt Braun Viking Stadium, Marysville. The Reverend Brendon Aspenson of Community Wesleyan Church will officiate.

Burial will be in Riverlawn Cemetery, Marysville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Marysville High School Athletic Department.