Obituary of Hugh Desmond "Mountain Dude" Braden

Hugh Desmond Braden June 12, 1922 - March 24, 2014 - 91 years "Mountain Dude" Born to Winnifred Sadie and Clive Braden in Pouce Coupe, British Columbia, Des spent his younger days in the vicinity of Dawson Creek including Pouce Coupe and Rolla. He hated school and loved the outdoors especially horse-back riding. Des reminisced about taking the Clayhurst Ferry to Hudson Hope and spending time there with his Aunt Kath and Uncle "Pappy" Peck and cousins Keith, Bruce, Don and Vern. The boys hunted, fished and camped in the wilderness around Hudson Hope. Des joined the Army in November of 1941 with his friend Blake Tibbetts. He was hoping to get into the Air Force but instead ended up as a Staghound Driver with the Manitoba Dragoons. He was proud to serve overseas in England and Western Europe and only talked of the good times and the great adventures. Upon his return after the war, he married Wilda Smith in 1947, however, Wilda passed away in 1948, due to complications during child birth. Their daughter Judi was raised by her maternal grandparents, Bill and Hazel Smith. While at a dance in Dawson Creek in 1949, Des met Violet June Chambers, a Fort St. John gal, and the courtship began. June and Des were married in Fort St. John in 1951 and settled in Dawson Creek with Des employed at Finning Tractor, Coutts Machinery and the Dept of Transportation (Weigh Scales). They had two daughters, Kathie and Carol, and provided the girls with many of the luxuries that they grew up without (running water, flush toilets, opportunities to participate in music lessons, and sports activities). As Des had the chance to get away from night shift, they relocated to Quesnel in 1973 where he operated the Portable Scale Car for the Government. He retired in 1986 and continued to live in Quesnel until his passing. Although his job on the scales required him to hand out the occasional ticket, he considered many of the loggers and truckers among his good friends. He was very active in the Elks and the Rodeo Clubs in both Dawson Creek and Quesnel. He had a passion for horses and even participated in a gymkhana at the age of 69 receiving an award for being the oldest contestant. He wore his "rodeo" buckle with pride. Throughout the years, he enjoyed many camping and fishing trips to various British Columbia lakes with friends and family. June and Des purchased property on Puntchesakut Lake (Good enuf and Cud be Better Estate) - guess which one Dad was! This soon became a "mecca" for family and friends to enjoy camping, fishing, water skiing, sledding and the odd water fight with neighbours. Des' life ended with the satisfaction of having completed his bucket list of things to see and do. He will be remembered for his quiet and easy going manner, his love of life and red wine and for his many renditions of his favourite song, Mountain Dew. He leaves to mourn his wife June, his daughters: Judi (Jim) Renfrew, Kathie (Bill) LaForge, Carol (Allan) LaForge; grandchildren: James (Leanne), Janelle, Brett (Kelsey), Tye, Meagan (Todd) and Lindsay (Andrew); great grandchildren: Jennifer, Julianna, Jimmy, Cooper and Ryder as well as brothers and sisters in law, cousins, nieces, nephews and many wonderful friends. You are invited to join the family in a celebration of Des' life to be held at the Rolla Cemetery on Saturday, August 23rd, at 2:00 pm. A social gathering will follow at the home of Carol and Allan LaForge 10498 - 215 Road, Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Service 2:00 pm Saturday, August 23, 2014 Rolla Cemetery Sweetwater Rd ROLLA, British Columbia, Canada V0C 2G0