Bandera Co., TX - Obits: Nathan Virgil Braley
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                  Obituary
            Nathan Virgil Braley
              January 30, 1965

Local Bandera newspaper
DEATH OF FAMOUS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE IS MOURNED

Death claimed one of Bandera County's most interesting and colorful personages
when Judge N. V. Braley, age 93, passed away in the Sid Peterson Memorial
Hospital in Kerrville, following an extended illness, on January 30, 1965, at
9:45. Judge Braley was highly esteemed and beloved by many people in the Hill
Country and he was known far and wide, having served for many years as Justice
of the Peace of Precinct No. 3 in Medina.

Judge Nathan V. Braley was born on February 17, 1872, in Montgomery, Alabama.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Braley, moved to Gonzales County from Alabama
in 1873. In 1881 the family moved to Waco, Texas, where fire destroyed their
home and all their worldly possessions. In 1882 the family moved to Medina,
when Judge Braley was ten years old. His mother died there in 1885. Some time
later he went to New Mexico and Arizona where he worked as a cowhand, living
the life of a rugged cowboy for several years. In 1929 he returned to Bandera
county where he was happily married to Mrs. Emma J. Coleman. He has made his
home in Bandera county since, and a few years before his death retired from
the office of Justice of the Peace which he held for many years. For many
years he was the correspondent for the Bandera Bulletin from Medina. He wrote
many articles and many poems. His beloved wife preceded him in death.

Judge Braley was ever interested in the affairs of the community and the
county in which he lived for so many years. Many times he came to Bandera to
serve in the roll (sic) of "Judge Roy Bean."  Though his eyes were dim and his
step slow, he never lost interest in life and the doings of those with whom he
was associated. He was one of the county's most colorful individuals, and his
passing is mourned by many.

Judge Braley was a member of the Baptist Church.

Survivors include six stepdaughters, Mrs. Ruth Whitehead of Medina, Mrs.
Jimmie Fine of Johnson City, Mrs. Jewel Loessberg of Bandera, Mrs. Molly
Megraw of Medina, Mrs. Evie Chiodo of San Antonio, Mrs. Virginia Decker of
Houston; one nephew, Johnny Braley of Junction; one niece, Mrs. Anna Laura
Henry and many friends.

Funeral services for the beloved gentleman were conducted from the Medina
Baptist Church in Medina with interment in the West Prong Cemetery under the
direction of Plummer Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Sam Chiodo of Leakey, Chester Chiodo of San Antonio, Lt. Col.
Vincent R. Chiodo of San Antonio, Glen Murdock of Waco, Dayton Whitehead of
Medina, and E. C. Whitehead of Medina.

Rev. E. E. Gilbert, pastor of the Medina Baptist Church, conducted the service
and paid Judge Braley a beautiful tribute for his long service to the
community in which he lived and read the following beautiful poem, one of
Judge Braley's original compositions (not printed in this article)

Among the great crowd of relatives and friends who came to pay their last
respects to the beloved gentleman were his grandchildren, Mr. and Mrs. J.
Murdock and son, Walter, of East Point, Ga., and Mr. and Mrs. Gale Murdock of
Waco.