Jack Braun, Jr.

Jack Braun, Jr. was born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1946, the son of Jack, Sr. and Marjorie Braun.

His father purchased a grocery store in Peculiar, Mo., and the family, including his beloved sister Kathie, moved there.

At Raymore-Peculiar High School he was the first quarterback in school history. Did they win a lot of games? No. Did they play with great spirit? Sure.

After high school Jack volunteered for Vietnam and hoped to carry on the family tradition of being a fighter pilot. Upon discovery of a heart murmur, he was sent to the Air Force Reserves. In the reserves, he served as a cook who was famously written up for serving green mashed potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day.

In 1966 he married Glenda Welborn. They were blessed with two children, Eric and Stephanie.

Jack was also enthusiastic about hot rods. When the local judge was throwing the book at kids racing, he decided to take him on. He accidentally won.

When the New York Times came to town, they talked to a local barber about Jack’s election. Chuck Johnson said, “Jack was the wildest kid we ever had around here. We figured he’d make an understanding judge.”

He did not run for reelection.

After working for his father at Braun’s Groceries in Peculiar, Jack decided to get into automotive parts and began a long career in that field.

During one break in that part of his career, he opened Braun’s Meats and Processing in Raymore, Mo. There he made lifelong friends with crew of local troublemakers and raconteurs.

Later, Jack and Glenda moved to Austin, Texas, a city they both loved. Jack was an enthusiastic blues music fan and loved to catch bands at Antone’s, Joe’s Generic and other Austin venues.

He worked for Arnold Oil’s A-Line Auto Parts in Austin and again made a small army of great friends.

When Glenda retired, they moved to Angleton, Texas where they got a place on Bastrop Bayou where Jack pursued another of his life’s passions, fishing. The bayou was filled with redfish, black drum, speckled trout and blue crabs.

While there, Glenda passed away in 2007 from breast cancer after 41 years of marriage.

A few years later, Jack reconnected with a friend from high school, Judy (Beckett) Fields. The two were later married and spent many happy years together until Judy passed away at their home in Appleton City, Mo in 2024.

Jack then moved to Mountain Home, Arkansas near Stephanie’s home in Norfork.

He had considerable health struggles with his heart and lungs and passed away peacefully on October 25, 2026, with Stephanie and Eric at his side.

Assessing his life, Jack quoted the late singer, Todd Snider, “I guess I was an alright guy.” He was better than alright. He was the best, and will be greatly missed by all.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Marjorie Braun, his sister Kathie Rafferty, his wife Glenda and second wife Judy. He is survived by his son Eric Braun and wife Amy of The Woodlands, Texas, and daughter Stephanie Korte and husband Keith of Norfork, Arkansas. Five grandchildren, Savanna and Emerson Braun, Olivia (Ben) Teague, and Genevieve and Kalder Korte. He also leaves behind his faithful companion, Bob, a portly shih tzu.

At Jack’s request there will be no service, donations in his name can be made to Texas Parks and Wildlife and/or the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas.

Arrangements are being handled by Kirby & Family Funeral and Cremation Services-Mountain Home, 600 Hospital Drive Mountain Home, AR 72653. Visit the online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com.