Gordon Braun

Gordon P. Braun, 63, passed away December 15, 2009, at North Kansas City Hospital. He was born July 20, 1946, in Effingham, Illinois, the son of Al and Agnes Braun. After graduation from St. Anthony High School, Gordon was drafted into the Marine Corps and faithfully served his country in Vietnam. Upon his honorable discharge, he married lifelong sweetheart and best friend, Nancy Forrester Braun in September 1968. Mr. Braun graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Civil Engineering and earned his masters degree in Public Administration from Western Illinois University. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and a licensed surveyor in Illinois and in Missouri. Gordon served as City Engineer of Canton, Illinois and as Public Works Director for the City of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Jackson County, Missouri. He also held the position of City Manager in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Most recently, he worked in the private sector developing commercial and residential real estate as Vice President and General Manager of George Ward Real Estate Investment. He received commendations from the American Water Works Association for his innovations in the field. Also, he was affiliated with the International City Manager Association, the Illinois City Manager Association, Illinois Public Employee Labor Relations Association, International Personnel Management Association, and Illinois Government Finance Officer Association. On July 17, 1989, Mr. Braun was honored by House Resolution Number 835 as “one of the state’s most highly-regarded civic and community leaders.” July 21, 1989, was proclaimed and celebrated as “Gordon Braun Day,” recognizing his “overall exemplary performance as Public Works Director and Zoning administrator of the City of Blue Springs. The greatest joy in Gordon’s life was time spent with family and friends. His generous spirit provided a warm welcome at gatherings and celebrations. True to his nature, Gordon had a gift for creating an environment where love and laughter flourished. Family trips to Florida beaches and Colorado ski slopes were among some of his cherished memories. Gordon was an avid racquetball player, and he loved time at Lake Lotawana, boating and skiing. He was equally content to cheer his children and grandchildren from the bleachers. Gordon is survived by his wife Nancy and their three children, Laura (Mike) DeVore; Michael (Jessica) Braun; and Annie (Alex) Kezdie; and four grandchildren, Elaina and Gus DeVore and Sophia and Samantha Braun. He is also survived by brothers Larry and Joe Braun, sisters Rose Marie Sur, Kathleen Thomas, and Carol Butcher, loving in-laws, and many nieces and nephews. A special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Kansas City Cancer Center North and Loyola University Medical Center for their loving care of Gordon. Services will be held at St. John LaLande Catholic Church, 801 R.D. Mize Rd., Blue Springs, MO, Saturday, December 19, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

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