Nathaniel “Nat” Broadway

Nathaniel Broadway – September 9, 1934 — May 25, 2025

A survivor, a jokester, and a man who came to love giving back to his community, Nathaniel Broadway of Stanton, TX, passed away May 25, 2025, following a lengthy illness.

Born September 9, 1934, in Mangham, LA, his early life was plagued by sickness that would change his life forever. At just less than a year old, Nathaniel, affectionately known as “Nat,” developed pneumonia at the same time his entire family was battling the illness. His biological parents were told that he would die unless he was hospitalized. With several other children and in the throes of the Great Depression, his parents could ill afford the expense of hospitalization. Nearby, Nat’s biological father’s sister and her husband who had no children, were asked if they would take on the responsibility of nursing him back to health. So began his life as an only child of foster parents with his six siblings living less than 15 miles away. Nat cherished his relationship with his siblings his entire life, often visiting them in Louisiana and elsewhere.

Graduating from Mangham High School in 1952 opened the door for his next life adventure. Nat and his best high school friend decided to hitch hike to West Texas/Eastern New Mexico to work in the oil fields. Within 2 years, Nat was married to Georgia Baird and they were parents to daughter, Patricia Ann. Nat’s employment during the remainder of 1950s was in the oil field working 7 days a week most of that time.

By the early 1960s Nat and new family, wife Faye Dees Broadway and three stepchildren, Danny Joe, Linda Faye and Robert Larry were living in Bentonville, Arkansas.  In 1966, Nat began employment with Kraft Foods, a cheese manufacturing plant in Bentonville with his last job assignment beginning in 1969 being Dairy Farm Specialist.  His responsibilities included helping with installation of bulk tanks for dairy farmers selling milk to Kraft as well as his helping advise (or finding the expert with) best dairy farm practices.

His next life change came when he married Nancy Cowan October 2, 1976.  They lived in Bentonville until the lure of West Texas once again sprang up. But the move this time in June 1979 was not via hitch hiking, but by moving van. They settled in Stanton, Texas within 20 miles of his daughter, Pat and her family.  Nat’s employment during the following 17+ years until retirement involved work in HVAC & plumbing working at the Graves family business in Stanton & the Stanton Independent School District.  Always involved in church life, Nat was a member of the First Baptist Church & served many years as Sunday School teacher.

Ten years before retirement Nat became certified as an Emergency Medical Technician and began work doing ambulance runs on weekends with the volunteer Martin County Emergency Medical Service in Stanton.  His personality of putting people at ease through his jokes and story-telling worked well in this role as he was able to help calm patients going through medical trauma. He became certified to teach EMT training classes and did several enjoying the many hours of preparation. This career of community service ran for 26 years until 2016.  At 79 years of age, Nat accepted the role of Emergency Management Coordinator for Martin County from February 2013 through September 2014.

Throughout his working years, Nat enjoyed traveling, particularly taking friends & family who came to see them to the various sights in Texas, New Mexico & Arizona. He loved playing the tour guide & always had a story to share about an area or an experience.

He was preceded in death by his biological and foster parents, his siblings, George (Pete) Broadway, Annette Gordy, Marion Robert (Bob) Broadway, and Lou Edna Broadway, his daughter, Patricia, & his stepson, Danny Joe. He is survived by his widow, Nancy of the home (having been very close to celebrating a 49^th anniversary), sisters Ola Clark & Dorothy Kay Taylor, sister-in-law, Janet Cowan, brothers-in-law David Cowan & Don Cowan, and many extended family members.

Visitation will be Friday, May 30 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home at 209 N St Charles Str in Stanton (junction with W Broadway Str). Memorial services will follow at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Stanton, 200 W Broadway Str, with The Reverend David Harp officiating. A private graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in remembrance of Nat.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gilbreath Funeral Home of Stanton.  Online condolences can be left at www.npwelch.com

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