James Dale Braden

James Dale Braden, 69, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011, in Fort Scott. He was born Aug. 15, 1941, in Fort Scott, Kan., to Joseph Dale Braden and Elizabeth Harriet Hyden Braden. He married Judy Gazaway on Nov. 1, 1986, in El Dorado Springs, Mo., and she survives of the home.

Jim grew up on a farm north of Fort Scott, in the Maple Grove area. He joined the Army in 1963 and served until 1966. When returning from the Army, he continued to farm until which time he no longer farmed and went to work for MCI, Joplin, Mo. In 1987, he moved to Texas and went to work for Harris Packing Co. in Haltom City, Texas. In 2003, he moved to Nevada, and worked for the Nevada School District as a bus driver until the time of his death. He was truly loved by his wife Judy.

Survivors include his wife, Judy; three stepsons, Larry Gazaway and his wife, Karen, and their children, Sarah and Caleb, Fort Scott, Kan., Jim Gazaway and his wife, Rona, and their children Jack, Nicholas and Benjamin, Hutchison, Kan., and John Gazaway and his wife, Brenda, and their sons, Joseph and Jacob, Nevada; one sister, Patsy Clubine and her friend, Mike Crowe, Joplin, Mo.; nephew, Dale Johnson and his wife, Amanda, Stark City, Mo.; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; one niece, Becky Johnson; and two brothers-in-law, Jay Johnson and John Clubine.

The body will be cremated. Visitation services will be held from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 11, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Masonic Services at 7 p.m.

The family requests no flowers. Contributions may be made to the Nevada School District for the bus barn.

View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com