Person:Eugene Braught (2)

Birth name was Arnold Eugene Braught, but in high school his father agreed to allow his legal name change that reversed his first two names. Following the footsteps of older brother, Ralph, Gene was extremely successful DM East High Drum major throughout his years there, and lettered with honors in basketball. In later years he served as the band director of that school , and yet later was honored in the school's alumni Hall of Fame. 1932 Des Moines, IA Directory shows Eugene A. Braught, student living at 1354 E. 9th. with his parents. He had a bedroom to himself upstairs in this large 2-story house. I recall listening to him play his clarinet in that bedroom one day. He was a tall, lanky lad (I think he played basketball as well as being the drum major at East High School).

   At Simpson College he was selected as Representative Man both Jr. and Sr. years, and was small college All-American basketball player (6'5" was huge in those days). After Simpson, he played basketball for Drake University while getting his M.Ed. there (eligibility rules were different then also).  He played semi-pro basketball with later famous teammates; Pulitzer Prize Winner Clark Mollenhoff of the Des Moines Register and Tribune , and U.S. President Ronald (Dutch) Reagan, then sports announcer for Des Moines WHO Radio.  They were all three offered pro contracts (Gene with Lakers), which they all refused (no economic future in pro. basketball in those days).   He was named in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, and was honored as a Hall of Fame OU faculty member.  Gene taught high school music for a total of 16 yrs. in Pender, Nebraska; Des Moines and Bloomfield, , IA; McAllen and Weslaco,  Texas.  He also performed with Corpus Christi (was Band Director at Del Mar College there, and took that band to Jr. Rose Bowl), TX symphony and played a period with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.  Gene was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Southern College of Fine Arts at Houston, TX. before becoming faculty member and band director for a total of 23 years at Oklahoma Univ. (Norman). His OU band appeared several times in the Orange Bowl, at the Gator Bowl and Bluebonnet Bowl twice.   His two daughters and son played in the OU band under his direction as well.  Gene was honored as member of Des Moines East High School Alumni Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Bandmasters Hall of Fame; the Simpson College Athletic Hall of Fame, as Simpson Distinguished Alumni; Vice-Pres. of the National Band Directors Assn.; and is listed in numerous Who's Who and other prestigious publications.   Before retirement to Weslaco, TX, he served as Administrator of OU School of Music and was showered with honors and praise for his nationally recognized contributions to music and outstanding service as an OU faculty member. Besides his continual deep involvement in the Methodist Church, he was very active in Rotary International; serving as  President of three different local clubs (Corpus Christi, TX  Southside, Norman, OK, and Weslaco, TX.).  He also served as Rotary District Governor 1979-80 and has celebrated 52 yrs. of perfect attendance.  He was recipient of Rotary International Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Awards.   After retirement from OU he served several terms as Mayor of Weslaco, TX where he was recipient of Citizen of the Year in both 1955 and 1995 (see wife Kay notes where she also earned that honor in 1993; identifying them as a truly outstanding couple in that community). His mayor office was full of impressive salutations and personal compliments from Governors and U.S. Presidents of both political parties.   It could fill a delightful book to share the many fascinating stories of events of this marvelous family. For instance, how they struggled from Indianola to McAllen during WWII gas and tire rationing in a less than capable vehicle and a baby only to find massive insects and unbearable heat in a temporary home belonging to Kay's family where he had accepted a job as band director, etc.  As usual, they managed to persevere with grace and eventual success.   The author of this genealogy collection is extremely fond of this family (Gene and Kay also repeatedly provided data, finances, strong encouragement and support of the family history project ).  It is with deep love and appreciation that this completed family book has been dedicated to them.

See Who's Who in American Music: Classical. First Edition NY: R.R. Bowker Co. 1983. Gene's funeral at the Weslaco, TX First Methodist Church was simply awesome with overflowing guests that included many dignitaries, every denomination pastor of the area, many family members, and a jazz band of elderly notable professionals who enthralled the crowd with amazing New Orleans music (as requested by Gene, who had scripted most of his own funeral service). Eulogies were many and glowing, there was barely enough space for a garden of flowers, and the area newspapers headlined the loss of "Mayor Gene Braught". It was clearly the most impressive and touching funeral I had every witnessed (and very deserving). In Gene's hardcopy file are items from the funeral listing some of the participants and activities. Everyone was very disappointed that the service was not taped, so it was one of those instances where you just had to be there to imagine the splendid tenor of the event. Before and after the funeral many family members enjoyed fellowship, table games, and memories. My personal reaction is that uncle Gene was indeed a great person by any standard or criteria; and aunt Kay is indeed a saint.

1. ↑ His wife, sons and their spouses; nephew Loran with his wife with sons Mark and Mike (Matt could not attend from jury duty and work) and their sposes, other family and friends attended the funeral 2 PM Thursday Oct. 16 at Weslaco, TX First Methodist Church where Gene and wife Kay had been leading members for many years.