Joel H. Braswell ’60

Joel H. Braswell ’60, an environmentalist and admirer of the colors of nature and animals—bears especially—died of colon cancer Apr. 15 in his Houston, Tex., home. Joel Braswell was born Apr. 11, 1939, in Atlanta, Ga., the son of Markley Braswell and Virginia Queen Braswell. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College in North Carolina, a master’s degree in zoology and a doctorate in botany from the University of Georgia, and an M.B.A. from the University of Houston. In the early 1960s, Joel was on active duty with the Navy in the Atlantic and took part in the blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He attained the rank of captain in the reserves. He came to Houston in 1980 and worked with an environmental company before joining Williams Pipeline Co. He had a role in donating several miles of pipeline to help provide water for a wetlands restoration program in Oklahoma that became the Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area, near Frederick in southwest Oklahoma, a feeding and resting point for thousands of prairie birds that offers an array of outdoor experiences for nature lovers. Joel Braswell also enjoyed introducing his sons to the wilderness areas of Alaska, Wyoming, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. He especially liked photographing bears of all kinds. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Sandra South Braswell, 13707 Welham Hester Cir., Cypress, TX 77429-6809; sons, Joel Braswell (Jeri) and Mark Braswell (Michelle); grandchildren, Julianne, Matt, and Mary; and brothers, Bob Braswell and Mark Braswell.