Gregory Cowan Braswell

Gregory Cowan Braswell, 62, of Irving, TX died Wednesday, December 4, 2013 in Irving. Born in Morganton, NC on May 21, 1951, he was a son of Ida Jean Cowan Braswell of Morganton and the late, Marvin Odell Braswell. In addition to his father, Greg was preceded in death by a nephew, Gordon W. Fein.Friends and family remember Greg for his wit and quirky sense of humor. He was also known for his intelligence. His high school math teacher, Charles Snyder, said, "During a test, if Greg forgot the formula for working a problem, he just invented his own, and got the right answer!" He enjoyed singing in the Chapel Choir at First Baptist Church and performing in plays. He performed in one of the early seasons of the Valdese outdoor drama, "From This Day Forward."After graduating from Morganton High School in 1969, he attended Wake Forest University where he graduated in 1973. Following college, he worked in the food service industry managing stores for Long John Silvers and Denny’s restaurants in Louisiana and Texas.

In 2008, he was diagnosed with chronic leukemia but chemo enabled him to enjoy a five year remission. In recent years, he had slowed down a bit to enjoy being an employee at a Waffle House near his home. Two weeks before his death, a diagnosis confirmed late stage leukemia. He faced the end bravely and without complaint.Greg was a man of integrity and honest to a fault. He was a fair and merciful boss and a willing and effective employee. An encourager, he wanted others to know their strengths and to feel good about their contributions. A voracious reader, Greg was conversant across a wide variety of subjects from history, literature, and science to politics. He was indeed a lifelong learner. In recent months, he said he was thankful for his life and that he had lived his entire existence according to what he knew to be right. He was happy about that.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by a brother, Bruce A. Braswell of Columbia, SC; a sister, Eugenie B. Fein of Morganton; and his favorite niece, Irina H. Fein of Front Royal, VA.A memorial service to celebrate Greg’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 22, 2013 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center with the Rev. Larry Thompson officiating. Following the service, family and friends will gather in the chapel for fellowship. Memorial gifts may be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, P. O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202 or to a charity of a donor’s choice.