EARL M. BRAATEN
November 23, 1934 to December 4, 2025

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Earl's Obituary

Earl Braaten was born in Rock Island, IL Nov. 23, 1934 to Caroline & Oscar Braaten. He grew up in the Quad Cities area and graduated in 1953 from Davenport High School. In 1956, he married Lisa Rabedeaux.

Earl served in the Naval Reserve and the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed at Ft. Custer, MI. Following his discharge he was employed by the CAA (now FAA) where he worked as an Air Traffic Controller. After moving several times he came to OKC to serve as an FAA instructor at the Aeronautical Center where he retired in 1990. He had his own business for several years.

Earl attended Oklahoma City University and Central State where he received a Master of Adult Education degree. He was an active member of Central Presbyterian Church from 1971 until its close in 2020, where he served as an elder and a youth advisor, teacher, and choir member. He was also a member of the OKC Barbershop Group for several years. Besides music, golf was a life-long love of Earl’s, for the exercise and beauty as much as for the friendships made over a lifetime of playing.

Earl and Lisa had 5 children who survive him. Jill Stanze (Kurt), David (Mikel), Douglas (Steven), Diane Galliart (Doug), Michael. His grandchildren are Eric, Lindsay, and Megan Janero (Aaron), Evan Braaten (Angela), Jessica Galliart, and George Chua-Braaten. He was predeceased by his parents, siblings, and grandson, Scott Braaten.

A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 4400 N. Shartel on Saturday, December 13 at 11 a.m. with reception following in the Garden Court.

Memorial contributions may be made to Urban Mission. 3737 N. Portland, OKC, OK 73112.