Ronald Braden

RONALD DAVID BRADEN, landscape design expert, nurseryman and proud owner of Stateline Nursery and Landscape for the past 30 years, sadly passed away in Temperance, Michigan, on July 10, 2011. A true innovator in beautiful landscape creations, Ron used his immense knowledge of trees and originally crafted designs to build one of the most respected and highly trusted businesses in the Michigan and Ohio areas. From Monroe to Toledo, and from Perrysburg to Maumee, and every city in between, Ron left a piece of his design legacy that will be admired for years to come. Ron was born in Speedwell, Tennessee, on December 11, 1951, to Conrad P. and Carrie E. (Williamson) Braden. As a devoted and caring son, he worshipped the ground his parents walked on for helping to instill high morals and a strong work ethic in him. Sadly, his father passed away in 1972, and his mother followed in 2008. Ron always took pride in knowing how proud his parents were of his immeasurable accomplishments. His parents gave him a giving heart and the role of being a caretaker, and he never let this role subside. On August 21, 1971, in Temperance, Michigan, Ron married the love of his life, Patricia A. Dzierzyk. About 30 years ago, Ron and Patricia purchased their beloved tree nursery from Lawrence Cox. Lawrence recognized Ron’s dedication, dreams and the life he wanted to create for Patricia; therefore, he knew Ron would be the only person who deserved to acquire the business. Through hard work and sacrifice, Ron was able to accomplish his dreams and give his wife the life he thought she deserved. As a prime example of unconditional love, Ron always put his wife first, and she did the same for him. Partners in life and best friends are phrases that only begin to scratch the defining surface of the connection this couple formed. Even with nearly 40 years of marriage, he never let romance diminish and was always extremely thoughtful with his exciting surprises for Patricia. He never lost sight of providing for his wife either. Ron literally built her dreams with his two hands. Ron also had two children with Patricia, a son, Stacer J. Braden, and a daughter, Carrie S. Braden. If Stacer and Carrie had the chance to choose who their dad would be, their only choice would be Ron since he was the type of father everyone wished they could have. By being a great protector, he made his children feel safe and secure. Ron was always there for his children; he was a soft place to fall and a solid rock to lean on. Even though he spoiled his kids, he taught them the meaning of hard work and what it means to appreciate things, especially the “little things” in life. Ron was a true measure of a man and passed down these measures to his son, Stacer, teaching him the true meaning of strength and what it means to be a real protector. As a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan for over 40 years, Ron passed down his love of football to his daughter, Carrie. Although Carrie supports a rival team, the Cincinnati Bengals, every time either team would have a game, a series of phone calls would be exchanged between the two, commenting on the big plays, mistakes and accomplishments of each team. Ron was a caring and dedicated father, and not a day went by where he didn’t show his kids how much he loved them. The love Ron had for his siblings and their partners ran profoundly deep. He was extremely protective over his siblings and would never let anyone mess with them, especially his baby sister, Aileen. At one point in time, Ron employed each of his siblings: Arvil, Otis, Marvin, Jay, Vernon, Aileen and Norman at his tree nursery. Several of his siblings made their careers while working at the tree nursery, allowing Ron to share his successes with the family he grew up with. Ron was extremely grateful that his little brother, Norman, baby sister, Aileen, and older brother, Jay, righteously stepped up to run his business during his infirmity, and he was extremely proud of them for not letting his business suffer. Ron had many nieces and nephews, all of which he loved dearly. He formed special connections with his nephew, Kelly Braden, and nieces Liz (Braden) Heyer and Amber Braden. Kelly, son of Ron’s older brother, Jay, formed a special mentor-mentee relationship. Kelly would follow Ron around the nursery until dark trying to learn Ron’s vast knowledge of nursery work and landscaping. They always enjoyed working side-by-side together. Liz, daughter of Ron’s older brother, Marvin, as a little girl would always take special trips to the penny candy store with Ron. Laughing all the way to the store, he would let her pick out any candy she wanted as well as an ice cold Coca-Cola to wash the candy down with. Amber, daughter of Ron’s baby sister, Aileen, always wanted to be successful just like Ron. By spending every summer at the nursery from the time she was a little girl, he helped her develop the ambition he said she would need to make it. Ron was very proud of her for never putting education on the backburner and was pleased he finally could call his niece “Professor.” Over Ron’s entire career, he contributed significantly to the development of stunning landscapes in Monroe, Lucas, and Wood counties, both commercially and residentially. He developed many strong working relationships as well as friendships with his ties, including: ProMedica, Toledo Hospital, Flower Hospital, The University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Lathrop Company, Rudolph Libbe Inc., Miller Bros. Construction, Bostleman Corp., John Squire LA, SSOE Inc., The Collaborative Inc., and McClurg Environmentals. Each of Ron’s associates respected him as an honest businessman as well as his opinions were highly sought after. Ron formed a strong bond with Marshall McClurg, owner of McClurg Environmentals. Not only were they buddies, they became brothers. Ron was also extremely proud of his accomplishments at Levis Commons in Perrysburg, Ohio. This was a large, on-going project that took several years to complete, and the end result was more than breathtaking. However, Ron’s highest achievement came when he was presented with the 2000 Build America Award. As the recipient of this prestigious award (presented by Mosser Construction Inc.), Ron was recognized for his excellence in the Valentine Theatre renovation in Toledo, Ohio. Not only are Ron’s contributions to these areas admired by everyone who sees them, his designs remain a vivid, lasting impression of his special knack for this art form. Besides enjoying the rush of Pittsburgh Steelers’ football and taking pleasure in plowing fields as a nurseryman on his blue Ford tractor, Ron was also a talented pool player. Nicknamed “Coy,” he won numerous tournaments and collected many trophies over the years. Another interest Ron enjoyed was gardening. He took great pleasure in planting his enormous vegetable garden. Working in his garden was always a major form of relaxation. Ron not only planted enough to eat on all summer and winter, he always made sure he planted enough to share with others. However, the activity Ron enjoyed most of all was deer hunting. As an avid and skilled hunter, deer hunting season was his favorite time of year, and nothing made him happier than sitting in a tree stand with a bow or a gun. Ron’s favorite place to go deer hunting was on the VanAgen property in Bancroft, Michigan. He was always grateful to the VanAgen’s for allowing him to hunt on their property for so many years. This past deer hunting season, Ron snagged his ultimate prize, finally capturing the eight-point buck that haunted him for years, known as “The Ghost.” As a dedicated hunter, he showed his true skills by capturing this buck with a bow and not with a gun. Even though he would hunt and kill deer, he had this amazing compassion for deer and would feed them when their food became scarce. Finally, Ron had a genuine love for his dogs, both past and present, especially “The Brown Brothers,” Smokey Bear and Stormy Waters. His companions in the form of Chocolate Labradors were more than just pets to him, but family. Ron’s devoted Labs are also devastated by his passing and miss him every day. Ron enjoyed going for rides on his four-wheeler in the nursery with his loyal pals running along side him, always on the search for rabbits. Just the roar of Ron’s Diesel Ford F-250 would send “The Brown Brothers” running in the sound’s direction because that meant to them daddy was home. Ronald David Braden was an amazing man to know and an even more amazing man to be loved by. He will always be remembered by his family and friends as a smart, honest, wise, giving, successful, and talented man. He will continue to be loved and missed more than any words could ever express. The imprints of Ron’s astonishing landscape designs will continue to grow, blossom and flourish for everyone to admire. He had such a powerful impact on everyone he met. Although Ron has passed, the impact he left will provide the much-needed strength necessary to keep the hearts beating of those who loved him. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 24, 2011, with tribute readings commencing at 6:30 p.m. at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 South Telegraph Road, Monroe, Michigan. (734) 241-4600.