Gregory L. Brayton, 58, of Coldwater, passed away on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at his home in Coldwater, after a 12 year battle with cancer.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the United Methodist Church in Coldwater with Pastor Steve Young officiating. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 from 4 – 8:00 PM at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater and again, prior to the service on Wednesday, beginning at 10:00 AM at the church. Interment of Ashes will take place at a later date at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Greg was born July 23, 1955 in Coldwater, MI to Lee and Helen Jean (Weakly) Brayton. He married Sally A. Culver on August 4, 1979 in Coldwater.
Greg graduated from Coldwater High School in 1973.He studied at the Montreau Music School of Jazz during the summer after graduation before attending 1 year at the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. During high school he was active with the Balladiers, traveling to Europe to perform. Greg was one of the first students with a disability to attend public schools. He achieved things that most people with his disabilities would never think of doing, such as wrestling and playing football. His love of music and great leadership proved him to be a pioneer in the music industry as well. He started The Blind Man’s Bluff band in 1975 and toured throughout the US and Canada. Greg was also one of the first blind musicians to have a recording studio in Michigan. Mr. Brayton had helped with the family business Certified Sand and Gravel and hosted a radio program on ACB Radio for many years. He was inducted into the Coldwater Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
Greg was a member of the Coldwater Noon Rotary and the United Methodist Church, where he played in the Praise band for 18 years. He was an avid reader who enjoyed playing chess, riding bikes and sitting in his swing and his rocking chair. Greg loved playing Goal Ball but most of all he was a dedicated family man who enjoyed the time they all spent together.
Greg is survived by his wife Sally, his sons Spencer Brayton of Coldwater, Jason Brayton of Cleveland, OH, his parents Lee (Jean) Brayton, his brother Todd (Teri) Brayton , many aunts and uncles including Jan (Bill) Robinson, Joan Schafer all of Coldwater and, many nieces and nephews including Carly Brayton and Hunter Brayton. He was preceded in death by his brother Scott in 1996, grandparents Everts and Arlene Brayton, Clyde and Gladys Weakly (Potter), his mother and father in- law Dean and Bonnie Culver, Aunt Maxine Shilling and Uncle James Schafer.
Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church of Coldwater.