George Frederick Braun's Obituary
George Frederick Braun, 66 years old, of Gainesville Florida died peacefully at home in the arms of his “Honey Bunny” Betty Jean, surrounded by his family. George courageously fought cancer for two years.
He was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, where he lived with his mother and Uncle Fred, and moved to Miami at age three. George moved to Gainesville in the early 70’s: attended Santa Fe College where he was elected by a landslide as the first SFCC student government president. He worked at the University of Florida media lab for several years while waiting to start his 38-year career in the fire service.
George started his firefighting career at Gainesville Fire Rescue, serving in many capacities: he was a firefighter, driver-operator, lieutenant, and acting district chief, photographer/videographer, a Haz-mat officer, and served as public information officer for the fire department and city manager for many years. After serving 27 years and retiring from GFR, George continued to teach Hazardous Materials Response and Mitigation and Company Officer leadership classes around the state to many fire departments. He taught at the National Fire Academy, and in 2013 he became the assistant chief in charge of fire training at Reedy Creek Improvement District, working there for 4 years until leaving to fight cancer.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Betty Jean, children Lexi, Zach and Emma Jean, his uncle Frederick Braun, his brother Jim, sisters Cindy, Fran, Lori, and many nieces and nephews.
George loved life: the fire service and teaching young firefighters about firefighting, what it takes to be a good leader, and hazardous material response standards throughout Florida.
He loved restoring old cars, buying new cars, riding motorcycles, camping, shopping, organizing things, and generally improving anything he came in contact with. Most of all he loved his family who will miss him deeply.
Services for George Braun will be held Sunday, April 29th, 2018 at 2pm at Westside Baptist Church, 10000 West Newberry Road, Gainesville, Fl. A procession to the reception at Trilogy School located at 8700 NW 23rd Avenue will occur immediately after. Tropical attire is encouraged. In lieu of flowers the family request donations in George’s name to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center through their website: giving.mskcc.org.
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