Harry Braafhart, Jr.

Harry Braafhart, Jr., age 79, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 7, 2022 at Copper Shores Village in Pleasant Hill with his family surrounding him.

Harry was born July 25, 1943 in Pella, Iowa to Harry Sr. and Gail (Jarmin) Braafhart. He graduated from Pella High School in 1961. He proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Saratoga.

Harry married Mary Gayle (Kane) in 1964. He served on the Pella Police Force for 2 years, followed by the Iowa State Patrol for 18 years, retiring as a Lieutenant in 1984. During a portion of his State Patrol career he served on the Security Detail for Governor Robert D. Ray, which enabled him to travel all over the world. He also gained a number of lifelong friends whom he was very proud to have worked alongside. After retirement from the State Patrol, Harry became a Private Investigator and later employed by the Des Moines Register as Director of Security. He went on to work for the Iowa Lottery as Director of Lottery Security from 1985 to 2008.

Harry was an amazing man who touched many lives over his 79 years. Throughout his life, he created many great memories and typically kept a photo or memento to remember each by. He rarely forgot a name and always put others’ needs before his. You would never hear a complaint from Harry or hear him say anything bad about anyone. The following quote from a note he wrote to his grandkids when they were graduating high school really highlights the philosophy he lived by…”Have fun! Make someone smile every day! Laugh a lot!” …and of course he signed off by saying “and don’t forget about your ole grandpa, Go Hawks!” Harry was a lifelong Hawkeye fan who spent many weekends traveling with his wife, Mary, to home and away Iowa football games.

Harry had more friends than we can count and continued adding to that list and putting smiles on faces over the last year following his move to Copper Shores Villages. Harry loved his new apartment and truly felt blessed by the people he met there, both staff and residents. At the Shores he was given the nickname “the Mayor” because he would shake everyone’s hand and quickly memorized everyone’s name. He was recently given a ‘Certificate of Honor’ from fellow Shores residents which he was very proud of. The certificate was in recognition for his “outstanding friendliness, compassion for others, willingness to help, being a great person, and greeting everyone with a handshake at dinner!”

Harry’s life started out on the Southend of Pella, where he described his neighborhood as a movie setting right out of the Little Rascals. Playing ball in the morning and heading to the pool in the afternoon. We heard many stories about a number of ‘characters’ he grew up with. All of whom were sporting nicknames, including Harry, who they called “Butch”. He considered himself very lucky to have lived in such a tightknit neighborhood with so many wonderful people.

Harry enjoyed many accomplishments during his life but would never boast or brag about any of them. He just said he was “in the right time and the right place, I was blessed.” As many can attest, Harry also had a few ‘accidents/spills/trips’ throughout his life and was very well known for expressing the following quote after each incident “You’ll Have That!”

Harry was a member of Elks Lodge #98 in Pleasant Hill, where he served as Exalted Ruler from 2017 to 2018. Harry cherished his time in the leadership role for the Elks and felt he made a difference during that short time. He also enjoyed a number of special friendships developed over his numerous years as an Elks Lodge member. Harry was also a very proud veteran and was happy to have the opportunity through the Elks organization to spend time with, and care for, other local veterans.

Harry was the best Father, Brother, Uncle, Friend, and Grandfather we could ask for. He made everyone close to him feel special. We could not have asked for anyone better in our lives and will try to follow his example as we carry on without him. He will be dearly missed by all.

Harry is survived by his son, Brad (Angie) of Lynnville, IA and son, Bret (Jennifer) of Pleasant Hill, IA; grandchildren, Blake, Andrew (Anna), Caitlin and Ellie; sister, Mary Jane Ballenger; and host of other family and friends. He was preceded in death his parents, Harry and Gail; wife, Mary; son, Ben; sister, Darlene Dahlin; and brother, Stewart.

Services will be held at Oakwood United Methodist Church, 400 NE 56th Street, Pleasant Hill. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 15, 2022. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 16, 2022. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. There will be a luncheon at Elks Lodge #98, 5420 NE 12th Avenue, Pleasant Hill, 50327 after the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Elks Lodge #98 in loving memory of Harry.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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