Donald Ray Broady, 70, peacefully entered eternal life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 in Riverview, Florida. He was born in Salem, Indiana on January 24, 1955. He loved fishing, reminiscing with friends and family, and playing with his grandchildren, whom he loved the most.
Don, or “Donny-Ray” to his lifelong friends, was a firefighter at Bedford Fire Department in Bedford, Indiana. He was the youngest firefighter to retire early in the state of Indiana after an on duty life changing accident ended his dream career. Always a fighter, Don ended up finding his second calling after enduring multiple surgeries, hospital stays, and rehabilitation therapies after the accident; a career in the field of nursing. He dedicated his life to nursing, serving with skill and compassion in the ICU, emergency room, cardiac cath lab, and other demanding settings. Don consistently displayed unwavering dedication to easing patient suffering and treating every patient with dignity and respect.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Linda Broady, sister Dorothy Bray, father Earl Broady, and mother Elizabeth Broady.
He is survived by his two children, Chelsea Rivera (Richard Rivera) of Riverview, Florida and Dr. Autumn Broady (Kendell Haynes) of Moraga, California; sister Nancy (Marvin) Melton of Borden, Indiana; brothers Rick Broady (Laura) and Marvin (Patty) of Borden, Indiana, and grandchildren Greyson Broady-Alvarado, Amina Broady-Haynes, Jaeli Rivera, Anivia Rivera, and Raiden Rivera.
Don will be deeply missed by his friends and family. A private celebration of life will occur later in the year. Honoring Don’s last wishes, his final resting place will be in the ocean off the island of Molokai, Hawaii. Molokai’s breathtaking scenery and calm waves were where Don felt most at peace. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that loved ones honor Don’s memory by holding him close in thought and remembrance.
