Gerald "Jerry" H. Braun has passed from this life and was called home by our Father Almighty on July 17, 2021. Jerry was born on February 18, 1934, in Lihue, Kaua'i to his parents, Charles Herman F. and Lydia (Kitkosky) Braun and was brother to Stanford "Sandy" Braun. Jerry attended and graduated from the Kaua'i High School. Following school, he joined the United States Army, which prepared him for his work with Lockheed Air Terminal, Inc. as a fueling specialist. This work brought him to Hilo, HI where he met his wife, Harriet Ailau Napoleon (Div.). He was the father of two children Haliaka Crivello Moller and Stanford Kawika Braun. Jerry rose through the ranks of his position and was assigned to Oahu with Air Group International as a Pipeline Supervisor, which led to many trips to Guam and American Samoa. Jerry developed a love for music at a young age and became an avid Slack Key Guitar and Ukulele player. Later in life, he furthers his education at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa for Intermediate Slack Key (Kiho'alu) Guitar, May 17 - July 19, 1988, and May 21 - July 30, 1991, and attended numerous songwriting courses and "Mele" songwriting workshops. Jerry became a valued and sought-after musician within the Oahu community. Able to play the Ukulele, Slack Key Guitar, and keyboard, and his ability to compose music, resulted in quite a few published songs, such as "Big Hilo Rain, The Hero and Haliaka". As the music flowed through him, he stepped into those moves of Salsa, Cha-Cha, Waltz and Fox-trot (to name a few). Dancing with those wonderful women he knew. Jerry was also regularly active in helping his neighbors.
Participated in organizations such as:
Annual Round-Up at Pohakuloa, Labor Day Weekend AA Round-up (Est. 1975)
Alcoholic Anonymous (AA Birthday 8/11/1973)
Parents Without Partners Hawaii Chapter
Friends of Ala Wai Ballroom Dance Academy at the Palladium
Hawai'i Ballroom Dance Association
Hawai'i S.P.E.A.R. Foundation
Jerry is remembered riding on his motorcycle through his years, all the way until the end. He was a Man of God being strong in faith, kindness, calm, humility, and good humor. Songwriter, Musician (Slack Key Guitar and Ukulele), Ukulele Craftsman, and Ballroom Dancer. His love for dancing kept him looking young and handsome.
God has granted him the serenity to accept the things he could not change, the courage to change the things that he could and the wisdom to have known the difference. Let go and let GOD. Celebrating since August 11, 1973.
Services are on August 21, 2021 9am-1pm At Oahu Cemetery Chapel.
Malama Ko Aloha. Mahalo Ke Akua.
Arrangements Provided By: Oahu Mortuary
