Raymond Brady
Local entrepreneur Raymond Brady knew about work ethic.
“He taught me any work you do, be proud to put your name on it,” daughter Emily Brady of Sturgeon said.
A founder of Brady’s Glass and Paint Co., Mr. Brady “built the business up from the ground,” grandson Ryan Brady said.
Mr. Brady, of Columbia, died Thursday, June 11, 2009. He was 86.
He was born Don Raymond Brady on Jan. 7, 1923, to Charles and Cecilia (Robben) Brady.
After graduating from Hickman High School in 1940, Mr. Brady attended Albright College in Reading, Pa., and MU.
Mr. Brady’s interest in baseball led him to tryout for the St. Louis Cardinals pitching staff in 1940.
Emily Brady said Mr. Brady was a good left-handed pitcher, but he instead entered the service during World War II. He served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps.
He married Olivia Hall on Oct. 6 1941. They had four children.
In 1947, Mr. Brady founded Brady’s Glass and Paint Co. with his brothers Carl and Fred. The business has provided glass and aluminum work for many building projects in Columbia and central Missouri.
Described as “very much a family business,” Ryan Brady said five of his family members work for the shop.
“He had a serious, old-school work ethic,” Ryan Brady said. "If you’re going to do anything at all, do it right.”
Mr. Brady was also a fisherman and met with a group of friends known as the “Fish Eaters” once a month for the past 50 years.
He played piano for a local band called the “Boone Docs” that raised funds for needy medical students. Mr. Brady was also a talented three-cushion billiard player.
“He loved pool, and he was a great storyteller,” Emily Brady said. “I didn’t get his joke-telling genes. I always mess up the punch line.”
Mr. Brady is survived by a son, Jerrold Brady of Columbia; three daughters, Emily Brady and Teresa Brady,both of Columbia, and Mary Brady-Kovacs of Harrisburg; two brothers, Carl Brady of Columbia and Dale Brady of Fulton; seven grandsons; and five great-grandchildren.
His wife; a brother, Fred Brady; and a sister, Alma Brady Dougherty, died earlier.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Columbia Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Cancer Research Center, 3501 Berrywood Drive, Columbia, MO 65201. Online tributes may be posted at parkerfuneralservice.com.
