John “Larry” Brauda, 78, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville Beach, after a brief, yet courageous fight with lung cancer.

Larry was born at home on August 12, 1946, in Patterson, Georgia, to Curtis Henry Brauda and Pearl Gill Brauda. He grew up in Fernandina Beach, Florida and graduated from Fernandina Beach High School in 1964.

During the Vietnam War, Larry was drafted to serve in the United States Army. During his time in Vietnam, he served with distinction in a combat role with a mobile ammunition supply unit.
Larry taught electro-mechanical vocational education classes at Telfair County High School in McRae, Georgia. Larry was also a successful small business owner in Fernandina Beach and Yulee providing access control products and services.

Despite not taking up the game until his late 40s, Larry was an avid and talented golfer. He practiced constantly, working on his swing, putting and chipping. He won the Club Championship and was the Senior Net Champion in 2023 at his home course, Fernandina Beach Golf Club. He was a strong supporter of the Fernandina Beach Men’s Golf Association Scholarship Trust Fund, providing scholarships to Fernandina Beach High School graduates. He loved playing in charity fund-raising tournaments for the Scholarship Fund and for organizations that assisted veterans and animals.

Larry’s generosity truly knew no bounds. He was more than happy to give his time, talent and most of all, humor to friends, family and even strangers. One of his greatest joys in life was to make others smile, often as a result of a joke he told.

Larry was a passionate fan of the University of Georgia’s Football Team; he watched every game and nearly every day wore at least one article of clothing with the iconic G logo.

Throughout his life, Larry had a deep appreciation for music, specifically 60s and 70s soft rock. He passed this love of music on to his children and grandchildren, who recall fond memories of Larry every time they hear Creedence Clearwater Revival, Roy Orbison, the Drifters and the Platters.

Larry lived a full and complete life, never worried about the future, only focused on enjoying the present. Those who knew him knew that he was as care-free as they come, just happy to be surrounded by those he loved. The world would be a better place if we all lived a little more like Larry.

Larry is survived by his wife of 39 years, Pamela Turner Brauda; his two sons, Anthony ‘Tony’ (Jeanette) and Christopher ‘Chris’ (Christy), and his daughter, Tracy (Jarrod) Wallace; eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind five sisters and one brother, Doris (Pat) Gagnon, Maxine Thornton, Henry ‘Sonny’ Brauda and his wife, Sue, Virginia Skipper, Faye Jenkins and Fonda Lynch, and 28 nieces and nephews.

Larry’s memorial service will be at 11 AM on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Oxley-Heard Chapel in Fernandina Beach. The family will receive friends from 10 AM until the time of the service. Friends and family are invited to wear patriotic, golf, or University of Georgia attire.