WORLD WAR II VETERAN
Warren W. Braley Sr.,88, a longtime Portland auto dealer and community leader, died Friday at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center from emphysema and lung cancer.
Born in 1913 in Sioux Falls, S.D., Mr. Braley moved with his family to Oregon in 1922. After attending Grant High School and graduating from Stanford University, he joined Braley and Graham Inc. In 1938, he married Doris "Dode" Wolfe. She died in 1999.
Mr. Braley left the business to serve as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked as a navigation officer on a troop transport that participated in the invasion of Normandy in 1944. When a kamikaze attacked his ship in the Pacific, he was the only survivor on the bridge.
When Mr. Braley returned to Oregon, he rejoined the business, and in 1950 was elected president of the Portland Automobile Dealers Association. It was one of several community organizations he led.
Mr. Braley was also chairman of the Portland-Multnomah County chapter of the American Red Cross, chairman of the board of the Portland branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, a member of Portland General Electric board of directors, president of the Portland Rotary Club, chairman of the board of the Better Business Bureau of Portland, chairman of the Library Association and board member of U.S. Bancorp.
"He always believed that you give back to the community because the community was supporting us." his son said.
Mr. Braley as known as a tough but fair and compassionate businessman who encouraged his employees to be truthful and straightforward with customers.
Although he turned over the leadership of the dealership to his son in 1980, Mr. Braley did not quit working until December.
Survivors include his son, Warren "Buzz" Jr.; daughter Karen B. Reynolds; and two grandchildren. A memorial service for Mr.Braley is scheduled for 2 p.m., Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 N.W. 19th Ave., Portland. Interment will be private.
Remembrances are suggested to the local chapter of the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society or a charity of choice.
The Portland Oregonian
May 13, 2001
Warren W. Braley Sr.,88, a longtime Portland auto dealer and community leader, died Friday at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center from emphysema and lung cancer.
Born in 1913 in Sioux Falls, S.D., Mr. Braley moved with his family to Oregon in 1922. After attending Grant High School and graduating from Stanford University, he joined Braley and Graham Inc. In 1938, he married Doris "Dode" Wolfe. She died in 1999.
Mr. Braley left the business to serve as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked as a navigation officer on a troop transport that participated in the invasion of Normandy in 1944. When a kamikaze attacked his ship in the Pacific, he was the only survivor on the bridge.
When Mr. Braley returned to Oregon, he rejoined the business, and in 1950 was elected president of the Portland Automobile Dealers Association. It was one of several community organizations he led.
Mr. Braley was also chairman of the Portland-Multnomah County chapter of the American Red Cross, chairman of the board of the Portland branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, a member of Portland General Electric board of directors, president of the Portland Rotary Club, chairman of the board of the Better Business Bureau of Portland, chairman of the Library Association and board member of U.S. Bancorp.
"He always believed that you give back to the community because the community was supporting us." his son said.
Mr. Braley as known as a tough but fair and compassionate businessman who encouraged his employees to be truthful and straightforward with customers.
Although he turned over the leadership of the dealership to his son in 1980, Mr. Braley did not quit working until December.
Survivors include his son, Warren "Buzz" Jr.; daughter Karen B. Reynolds; and two grandchildren. A memorial service for Mr.Braley is scheduled for 2 p.m., Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 N.W. 19th Ave., Portland. Interment will be private.
Remembrances are suggested to the local chapter of the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society or a charity of choice.
The Portland Oregonian
May 13, 2001
WORLD WAR II VETERAN
Warren W. Braley Sr.,88, a longtime Portland auto dealer and community leader, died Friday at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center from emphysema and lung cancer.
Born in 1913 in Sioux Falls, S.D., Mr. Braley moved with his family to Oregon in 1922. After attending Grant High School and graduating from Stanford University, he joined Braley and Graham Inc. In 1938, he married Doris "Dode" Wolfe. She died in 1999.
Mr. Braley left the business to serve as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked as a navigation officer on a troop transport that participated in the invasion of Normandy in 1944. When a kamikaze attacked his ship in the Pacific, he was the only survivor on the bridge.
When Mr. Braley returned to Oregon, he rejoined the business, and in 1950 was elected president of the Portland Automobile Dealers Association. It was one of several community organizations he led.
Mr. Braley was also chairman of the Portland-Multnomah County chapter of the American Red Cross, chairman of the board of the Portland branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, a member of Portland General Electric board of directors, president of the Portland Rotary Club, chairman of the board of the Better Business Bureau of Portland, chairman of the Library Association and board member of U.S. Bancorp.
"He always believed that you give back to the community because the community was supporting us." his son said.
Mr. Braley as known as a tough but fair and compassionate businessman who encouraged his employees to be truthful and straightforward with customers.
Although he turned over the leadership of the dealership to his son in 1980, Mr. Braley did not quit working until December.
Survivors include his son, Warren "Buzz" Jr.; daughter Karen B. Reynolds; and two grandchildren. A memorial service for Mr.Braley is scheduled for 2 p.m., Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 N.W. 19th Ave., Portland. Interment will be private.
Remembrances are suggested to the local chapter of the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society or a charity of choice.
The Portland Oregonian
May 13, 2001
Warren W. Braley Sr.,88, a longtime Portland auto dealer and community leader, died Friday at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center from emphysema and lung cancer.
Born in 1913 in Sioux Falls, S.D., Mr. Braley moved with his family to Oregon in 1922. After attending Grant High School and graduating from Stanford University, he joined Braley and Graham Inc. In 1938, he married Doris "Dode" Wolfe. She died in 1999.
Mr. Braley left the business to serve as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked as a navigation officer on a troop transport that participated in the invasion of Normandy in 1944. When a kamikaze attacked his ship in the Pacific, he was the only survivor on the bridge.
When Mr. Braley returned to Oregon, he rejoined the business, and in 1950 was elected president of the Portland Automobile Dealers Association. It was one of several community organizations he led.
Mr. Braley was also chairman of the Portland-Multnomah County chapter of the American Red Cross, chairman of the board of the Portland branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, a member of Portland General Electric board of directors, president of the Portland Rotary Club, chairman of the board of the Better Business Bureau of Portland, chairman of the Library Association and board member of U.S. Bancorp.
"He always believed that you give back to the community because the community was supporting us." his son said.
Mr. Braley as known as a tough but fair and compassionate businessman who encouraged his employees to be truthful and straightforward with customers.
Although he turned over the leadership of the dealership to his son in 1980, Mr. Braley did not quit working until December.
Survivors include his son, Warren "Buzz" Jr.; daughter Karen B. Reynolds; and two grandchildren. A memorial service for Mr.Braley is scheduled for 2 p.m., Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 N.W. 19th Ave., Portland. Interment will be private.
Remembrances are suggested to the local chapter of the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society or a charity of choice.
The Portland Oregonian
May 13, 2001
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