MODESTO – Members of the Fire Service family will be celebrating the life of a fallen brother, Heavy Fire Equipment Operator Braden Varney, on Monday, July 23, in Modesto, Calif. There will also be a public visitation on Sunday, July 22.
Braden Varney, just 36 years old, was killed on July 14 when his dozer rolled over in a steep canyon while he was cutting fireline on the Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County.
He leaves behind wife Jessica and two young children. The family is from Mariposa.
Services will be held at The House Modesto, 1601 Coffee Road. A procession will begin at 10:30 a.m. outside the church, and services will begin at 11 a.m. Fire agencies from all over the state will be represented.
A procession to the location of a private burial will take place following the service. The route has not been disclosed.
There will be a visitation for Braden Varney on Sunday, July 22, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home, 1050 McHenry Avenue in Modesto. This visitation will be open to the public.
A bereavement fund has been established at GoFundMe, and all donations will be given directly to Braden’s wife Jessica to be used for her and the kids to use as they choose/need.
