Jan. 24, 1948 – Oct. 28, 2016
Gary Edward Brauer “GB” was born in Petoskey, Mich. At a very early age Gary, his father Fred, and mother Bertha, packed up all of their belongings and drove west to start their new life in Laguna Beach in the early 1950s.
Gary has been a lifelong Laguna Beach resident, going to Aliso Elementary School, Thurston Middle School (when it was located where the current high school pool is now located), and he graduated from Laguna Beach High School. As a boy, Gary was involved in a number of youth sports and played baseball, basketball, and tennis. As an adult, he coached his children’s baseball, basketball, and softball teams through the Recreation Department and Boy’s Club of Laguna Beach.
Brauer’s true passions were his love of the ocean and his love of music. At an early age, he picked up the accordion and became proficient enough to play a number of youth talent shows. If there was ever a dull moment at a party or event you could always count on him to pull out the accordion to liven things up and let someone pick the song of their choice.
As he progressed through to his teens his musical tastes began to change and he gravitated towards the electric guitar. Brauer played numerous gigs, concerts, and events all over California throughout his life and he continued to write, record, and play music with his friends until his passing.
Brauer’s motto, “have guitar will travel,” was on many of his letters, correspondence, and business cards and he always had both an instrument and swimsuit in his car just in case of an “emergency.”
Brauer was a charter member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (located in Bluebird Canyon) until the church’s closing. He was also baptized at the Church of Latter-day Saints (LDS) located on Park Avenue.
Brauer’s enthusiastic personality and “aloha” spirit will be sorely missed by his friends and family.
He is survived by his son, Aaron Brauer of Los Angeles, his daughter Erica Jones of Laguna Beach, and his two grandchildren, Cameron Jones and Carter Jones.
The band upstairs just got another amazing musician. We love you and miss you…ALOHA!!!
A celebration of Brauer’s life will be held at the Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach, 286 St. Ann’s Dr., on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 3-6 p.m.
Rest In Peace, GB.????✨???
Sooo sorry to hear of your passing, we’ll all miss your ever upward spirit and sorry I never had the opportunity to show you my Celestial Diamond Guitars or jam and play my C.D. bass with you. I’m sure we will get that opportunity, in the sweet by and by. Rock On, my brother in Christ. See you, “In the blink of an eye”.
Dave Wetzel
How sad to hear of Gary’s passing and to realize I will no longer be the beneficiary of his perpetually sunny disposition. Coming of age during the reign of the Brotherhood of Eternal Love Gary’s path would often intersect with mine in this small but vibrant town. Adventures were easy to come by in those heady times, and with the passing decades we came to realize we were part of something special. And that recognition may well be the fitting tribute to this untimely death knell. We’ll miss you GB!
I just recently found out about Gary’s passing. I must say I was nothing short of shocked to hear the sad news. GB was an original and I will miss his spirit even though we hadn’t spoken to each other in quite some time. When I was a freshman in High School I always wanted to play the drums but ended up playing the trombone in the H.S. Band in Las Vegas. Upon my return to Laguna in 1967, little did I know that a short year later I’d being playing the blues with Gary in garages, on stages, in clubs and just about anywhere else we could get a gig. The first time we jammed together he was of course playing the accordion! It didn’t take him long though to elevate to his first guitar which was a Fender Mustang, and as they say, the rest is history. I will remember the times in the town and people like GB forever. We were all fortunate to be a part of that era. Gary in his special and unique way took care of a lot of us. My heart goes out to his family. Gary was an amazing human being and they broke the mold when he arrived.
Peace & Love My Brother,
Michael