Mr. Dean Waite Braley Jr.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dean W. Braley Senior and mother, Phyllis Holmquist Braley.

He was survived by his children, Scott Andrew Braley and his wife Kelley, Christopher Dean Braley and his wife Tammy, and Ashley Louise Braley; grandchildren, Taylor, Jaley, Katelyn, William, Carter, and Siena, sister, Judith Ann McAuley, and brother, J. Edward Braley.

He was co-founder of Braley and Thompson, Inc., Braley Care Homes, Inc., and Braley Care Homes, Inc. III. He had many passions in life and was a modern day renaissance man. He also co-founded Coal River Group. His roles consisted of: son, brother, husband, father, friend, athlete, boss, leader, therapist, social worker, business owner, entrepreneur, poet, author, archeologist, photographer, adventurer, boater, coach, teacher and philosopher to name a few. He was a very charismatic, creative individual who spent his professional life helping others, and his personal life exploring the impossible. In most cases what he put his mind to he would master.

He wrote three books: Shaman’s Story, Storm Dreamer, and Coals Mouth. He was a leading voice in getting the St. Albans archeological dig started in the early 1990s and had many articles written about his exploits as an amateur archeologist.

His eye hand coordination was exceptional which allowed him to excel in sports such as baseball, tennis, and golf. He was captain of his high school baseball team in Arlington, Va., and won multiple championships, as a catcher. He was captain of his tennis team for the Charleston Tennis Club when they won their national title. He could beat his eldest son, Scott in golf even though he took the sport up late in life and Scott had played it longer.

His love of water and adventure put him on a 20 year affair with boating. He traveled the river system from Charleston, WV to the Gulf of Mexico many times over. He had many first mates and joyous times. He lived on his boat in places such as, Fort Walton, Destin, and Miami Florida and traveled the Keys extensively. He searched for the Lost City of Atlantis and drank in the same saloon as Ernest Hemmingway.

A celebration of Dean’s life will be 3:00 P.M. Saturday, May 10, 2014 at Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home, 110 B Street, St. Albans with HR Whittington as Celebrant.

A gathering of family and friends will be Saturday from 1 until time of service.

He was a loving father and a great friend. He will be missed immensely. The Braley family would like to thank Hospice staff and the Hubbard House for their wonderful care.