Rodger Willis Brayden, age 73, of Gurnee, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center in Parrish, Florida.
He was born on December 8, 1949 in Concord, Massachusetts, the son of Donald and Faith Brayden. Rodger married Christine Tung on Feb. 2, 1974, and she survives him.
Rodger faithfully loved and served the Lord for over 50 years. He also served his country as an officer in the United States Air Force for 23 years. He retired as a Major before he pursued a Master’s Degree in Library Science. He began his next career as the Director of the public libraries in Waukegan and Forest Park, IL and retired after 19 years. He was a member of Christ Church (Lake Forest and Vernon Hills), sang in the choir, was a leader of small groups within his church, and volunteered in numerous ministries such as tutoring North Chicago School District students and serving in the children's and cars ministries at Christ Church.
More recently, Rodger attended Parrish United Methodist Church in Florida, where he also sang in the choir and belonged to a small group in their community.
Rodger enjoyed loving and serving others, watching sports (baseball, hockey and soccer), traveling, volunteering, working out and reading.
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Christine of Gurnee, Illinois; son Stephen Brayden of Wheeling, Illinois; daughter Diana Hunt and husband Michael and children Brayden, Grace, and Abby of Lawrenceville, Illinois; sister Judy Eby and husband Eric of Amesbury, Massachusetts; and several sisters and brothers in law as well as nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Faith and Donald Brayden, a brother Donald Brayden, Jr. and a sister Janet Brayden.
Memorial Service and Military Honors will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 10:00 am, Christ Church Lake Forest, 100 North Waukegan Road (at Route 60), Lake Forest, IL 60045
Private inurnment will be at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery, Highwood, Illinois
In lieu of flowers, donations to Christ Church Vernon Hills, 100 N. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL 60045. https://christchurchil.org/give/ would be appreciated.
Memorial Service Recorded https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8v7YXAo_CU​
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