Stanley “Stan” Braman

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Stanley “Stan” Braman on December 24, 2024. Born Stanley Weldon Braman on November 2, 1934, Stan was the second of four children to Stanley and Hilma Braman in El Dorado, Kansas. He was raised on the family farm where he worked long hours, learned how to farm, build and fix anything, ride horses, to hunt and shoot.  He was also a very good student with a sharp mind and a great memory, and became the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Kansas State University (KSU) in 1957.

While attending KSU, Stan joined the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) and excelled as a member of the rifle team. He also met and married Janet Thompson there in 1955. They started their family at KSU with the birth of their daughter, Marcia Kay Braman. Upon graduation, Stan was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He then attended flight training at Bartow Air Force Base (AFB) in Florida and earned his wings in 1958. Stan and his young family were then assigned to the Military Air Transport Command and moved to McChord AFB, Washington. Due to the increased war efforts in Vietnam, Stan’s Squadron of C-121s were loaded up and moved to the Joint Base Pearl Harbor (Hickam) AFB at Honolulu, Hawaii in January of 1960. Janet and their three small children were his precious cargo on that flight across the pacific that day. It was also during that flight that Stan was notified of his selection to compete for a position on the U. S. Olympic Rifle Team. Had it not been for the Vietnam War, he might have had that chance.

 During his nearly nine years of service in the US Air Force, Capt. Stanley Braman was awarded multiple commendations, including: Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Oakleaf Cluster, Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, AF Longevity Service Award, and the Distinguished Rifleman Badge (76th of 343). During his time of service, he was Aircraft Commander on the T-34, C-121 Constellation and the C-118 Liftmaster. Capt. Stanley Braman’s final assignment was at Andrews Air Force Base with the 89^th Military Airlift Wing of the Special Mission Air Lift Command from 1963-1965.

In January of 1966, Capt. Braman was honorably discharged and hired by Trans World Airlines (TWA) as a First Officer. During his long career at TWA, Stan flew the Lockheed Constellation, 707, 727, and the L1011. In 1968, TWA honored him with their “Flight Deck Man of the Year” award. He subsequently became an international captain, flying predominantly inter-European flights during a particularly dangerous period in aviation history. As his children grew older, they sometimes accompanied him on those flights around the world.

The family later settled in Lawrence, Kansas in 1975. Stan commuted to St.Louis International Airport (STL), often flying his own Cessna 177 (Cardinal) to work. His international flight schedule afforded him time at home to pursue his entrepreneurial interests, including founding his own construction and real estate companies, opening Lawrence’s first drive-through donut shop “Paradise Donuts”, and supporting Janet’s ventures into kitchen and floral shops. His son Keith moved back to Lawrence from Arizona in the late 1980s to help Stan manage the family businesses.

Stan also shared his love of flying with his two sons, teaching them to fly when they were teenagers. It was Stan who proudly pinned his own “Silver Wings”(from 1958) on his son Brian, during the award ceremony for Brian’s wings in the USAF in 1983. Stan Retired from TWA in 1991, but his love of flight continued and from 1999-2006 he joined American Airlines as a Flight Simulator Instructor Pilot on the MD-80 and the B-777. Keith also shared the love of flying with his Dad and continued to take him flying well into his late 80’s.

Stan was a teacher at heart. He was a kind gentle giant of a man in all respects and loved to share all that he had. From a humble farm boy in El Dorado, to earning his wings and becoming an outstanding aviator in the service of his country in Vietnam, to commercial aviation and safely flying people all around the world. To making tv’s, swimming pools, homes, flower shops and donuts. He was a strong, smart, vibrant and hardworking man, and honest to the core. He had a remarkable wit and a superb sense of humor all supported by a tender heart and a beautiful smile. 

His legacy and gifts are the memories he leaves and the great knowledge and wisdom he shared with his children and all those who ever worked with him. His love and skill in aviation were a true gift to his sons, as well as so many other skills and talents shared.

The last home Stan ever built was the one he, Keith, and Marcia custom-designed together for Marcia. It was a labor of love for the whole family. Stan’s custom woodworking was a beautiful addition to the home. The views from the back windows overlook the land and the sunsets that he loved and enjoyed so much.

Stan is predeceased by his parents Stanley and Hilma Braman and sisters Karen and Arlene (Susie).

Surviving Stan are his wife of 69 years, Janet, and children: Marcia Braman, Keith (Karen) Braman, and Brian (Liz) Braman. Also surviving are his four grandchildren: Gavin (Kristy) Braman, Chelsea (Theo) Andrades, Brooke (John) Braman Landa, and Michael (Toni) Braman; three great-grandchildren: Remi and Wesley Braman, Bodhi Andrades, and one on the way. Stan is also survived by his sister Noema Connor and family.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the nursing staff of Presbyterian Manor for their kindness and compassionate care provided to Stan over the last fourteen months.

For those wishing to honor Stan’s memory, contributions are suggested to Lawrence Presbyterian Manor (presbyterianmanors.org/give-now/) or to the Honor Flight (https://www.honorflight.org/donate/).