Charles Braden

Charles E. Braden, 85, of Buckner, passed away June 21, 2020.  A memorial visitation will be held from 1-3pm on Friday, August 21 at Terrace Park Funeral Home, 801 NW 108th Street, Kansas City, MO.  Full military honors will take place at 2:30pm.  Memorial contributions are suggested to NorthCare Hospice.

Charles was born on November 9, 1934 in Greenwood, Arkansas to Charles Benjamin Braden and Minnie (Parker) Braden.  He grew up in the Argentine neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas and served in the US Navy from 1951-1953.  Charles joined the Kansas City Police Department in 1958, retiring in 1984 after a long and successful career, after which he went on to a second career as the Director of Safety and Security for the Metropolitan Community Colleges of Kansas City.

Charles was an avid reader and enjoyed attending high school football games, first watching his son and later his grandsons play.  He also loved watching and tending to his hummingbirds in the summer.  More than anything, Charles was a great role model for his grandchildren, with whom he loved spending time.  He was especially proud of the fact that every one of his grandchildren are serving in the US military.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Deanna Braden, in 2001.  He is survived by his three children:  Kimberly Preston of Buckner, MO; Kelley Malley of KCMO; and Erik Braden (wife, Jennifer) of KCMO; six grandchildren:  Mark Giza, Jacksonville, FL; Thomas Giza, Enola, PA; Cody Braden (wife, Alyssa), KCMO; Cole Braden, La Grange, NC; Benjamin Preston, Buckner, MO; and Jamie Preston, Buckner; MO; and one sister, Marilyn Williams of Olathe, KS.

Charles will be dearly missed by his loving family.