Braden was born on October 2, 1990 to Kenny and Carolyn Joplin in Levelland, Texas.  Even at a young age he was caring and loving to all.  You could find him following his big brother Bailey around emulating everything he did. 

 

Braden graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Midland in 2009.   He was a senior at Texas Tech University with a major in Agricultural and Applied Economics.   Braden made the decision to sit out a semester to be a student volunteer for Dr. Ben Carson’s presidential campaign. He told his parents many times how much doing this would mean to him because he wanted to help change the direction of his country.

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In the two weeks he was with the campaign in Iowa, Braden stood out. At an event at a Cedar Rapids school, Ben Carson asked fifth-grade students who was the “worst student” in their class, trying to make the point that he used to be in that position. The students singled out one boy, prompting national attention and criticism.

At the end of the event, Braden found the boy and gave him his copy of Carson’s book, "You Have a Brain: A Teen’s Guide to Think Big". Braden jotted down his email address and a note saying the book changed his life.

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He loved music and enjoyed playing the guitar. He also loved all things sports, especially football, baseball and basketball. He was one of the kindest, big hearted young men you could ever meet.  He cared about everyone around him and was never afraid to show it.  He usually walked around with a big mischievous smile on his face and loved to laugh and make others laugh.  

 

Those close to Braden describe a young man who was fiercely loyal and giving. Carolyn Joplin said her son called her every day, and his brother said he never hung up the phone without saying, “I love you."

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We ask that you continue to carry on the joy that was in Braden's spirit so that his legacy lives on forever.