JOHN PAUL BRAUN

PERRY – John Paul Braun, 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 26, 2023, after a brave battle with cancer. At his request, there will not be a formal service. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to Ronald McDonald House, 1160 Forsyth Street, Macon, GA 31201, or to the donor’s favorite charity. John lived in various places throughout his life. He was born in Spokane, Washington, and grew up in Daytona Beach, Florida. He was very smart and a member of the Beta Club and Honor Society, played football, and was elected Vice-President of his Senior Class. After receiving a full academic scholarship, John attended GA Tech where he majored in Engineering and was an active member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He moved to Texas for several years to work for Nabisco. He relocated to Macon where he was bought his first restaurant, Mr. M Cafeteria, in the old Westgate Mall. His popularity and expertise as a chef led him to open Pinebrook Inn, a local steakhouse that became one of the most popular restaurants through the late 1960’s and 1970’s. While John loved to cook, especially for family and friends, he still had a love for engineering and building that he enjoyed and grew while in college. He began working in the construction business with his son, David. Together, they framed homes, poured concrete, building houses from north Macon all the way down to lower Houston County for many years. Throughout his life, John’s hobby of cooking fell short of his love for the outdoors, as hunting and fishing were his passion, which he shared with all of his children. John was preceded in death by his parents, John Konrad Braun and Capitola Ward Braun, and his faithful and loving companion of nearly forty years, Ruth Harlowe. Left to cherish the memories they made with John are his children, David Braun (Denise Molton) of Perry, GA, Terry Braun Owens (Steve) of Dallas, GA, and Laura Easom (Larry) of Elko, GA; his step-children, Ricky Harlowe and Ronnie Harlowe (Tricia); his brother, Donnie Braun (Martha); his grandchildren, Jamie Lynn Braun Lambert (Glenn), Brock Evans, and Cayla Smith (Josh); seven great-grandchildren; and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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JOHN PAUL BRAUN

May 25, 1935 - October 26, 2023