Colonel Russell J "Russ" Braden

Colonel Russell James “Russ” Braden, USMC (Ret), 86, of Fort Gratiot, formerly of Marysville, left this earth to guard the Gates of Heaven with his fellow Marines on Monday, February 26, 2018.

He was born June 6, 1931, in Flint to the late Carl and Louise Braden. He married M. Catherine Doolan on August 22, 1953, in Flint.

Col Braden earned his undergraduate and MBA degrees from the University of Michigan. He served 31 years in the U.S. Marine Corps in active and reserve service, with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, in Korea, and he was a longtime member of the 1st Battalion 24th Marines. He retired from Chrysler Corporation as Business Practices Executive. He was a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church and choir, the St. Clair Theatre Guild, Port Huron Civic Theater, the City of Marysville Charter Commission, and American Legion J. Edward Mallorey Post #449.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Cathy; four children, Col James (Patricia) Braden, USMC (Ret), Lt Col Thomas (Johanna) Braden, USMC (Ret), Brian Braden, and Catherine Braden; seven grandchildren, John Hartig, and Katherine, Samuel, Rachel, Alexander, Benjamin, and Matthew Braden; his brother, Franklin Braden; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Ford.

Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home.

Colonel Braden will lie in state from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2018, in St. Christopher Catholic Church.

Burial will be in Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly. His sons and grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Great Lakes Caring. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com