John P. Braislin, 70, passed away at home surrounded by family June 25, 2016. This loving husband, father, and grandfather was born in 1945 to Carol M. and Dana B. Braislin at Madigan Hospital, Tacoma, WA. He attended elementary and high school in Whittier, CA where he participated in swimming. When his father, a geologist, was transferred by Union Oil to work on off shore oil exploration, he transferred to North Thurston High, Lacey, WA where he was senior class president, graduation speaker, and as science club president, won first prize at an Albuquerque, NM Science Fair. He worked after school and summers for the WA State Department of Geology and Mines. John then entered the University of Washington, was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, and graduated in Business Administration in 1967. College summer jobs included administrative intern and intern coordinator for Department of Motor Vehicles, Olympia. He entered Willamette University College of Law, Salem, OR receiving a Doctor of Juris Prudence, cum laude, 1971, was a member of the Law Review Staff and Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity. He completed Army Basic Training at Fort Ord, CA and was a staff sergeant in the 6250th Army Hospital Reserve Unit, Tacoma, WA for 6 years. John began his 45 year law career at Skeel, Henke, Evenson, Betts Law Firm, Seattle, WA in 1971. He had been managing partner, shareholder, and head of the Business Transaction practice area at Betts, Patterson, Mines Law Firm, Seattle until 2016 when he became of counsel. John was a member of the WA State Bar Association (Corporate, Business, Banking), King County Bar Association, LAWorld, and North Seattle Community College Real Estate Technical Advisory Committee. In 2006, he was voted by peers to be included in Washington CEO Magazine’s “League of Justice.” He was named a “Top Attorney in Business Law in Washington CEO Magazine “Top Washington 2007” Book of Lists, Seattle Met Magazine “Top Lawyers” Business and Corporate Practice (2010), Washington Law and Politics “Super Lawyers” (2013-2016). John was a 40 year resident of Federal Way, WA where he and Sandy raised their two sons. He oversaw construction of his dream – building a little house by the sea, returning to live in Olympia in 2011, enjoying boating, gardening, and razor clamming. He was known for funny expressions and finding sun on any vacation. John is survived by Sandy, his beloved wife of 47 years; sons, Michael Braislin, Jeffrey Braislin (Lara); granddaughter, Quinn, Seattle; and brother, James Braislin (Janice), Dallas, TX. He leaves behind feline best friends, Buddy and Cooper. This hard working, good man will be forever admired and missed. With typical strong work ethic, John remained determined in a 15 year prostate cancer challenge. The family thanks Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Swedish Cancer Institute. Memorials may be made to Olympia Providence Hospice or Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research, Seattle. Woodlawn Funeral Home, Lacey, WA is in charge of arrangements. A Celebration of Life will be held at Olympia Country and Golf Club, July 9, 2016. There will be private family placement of ashes.
~Published in The Olympian on July 2, 2016
