Braxton Barry, 22, graduated from Trinity University in May 2025 with a bachelor of science in accounting. He was a starting player on the Trinity men’s basketball team, and was set to earn his master’s degree in accounting this May. Upon graduating, he planned to start as an associate at accounting firm Ernst & Young. He is survived by his mother, Nada Barry, his father, Craig Barry and his sister, Amber Barry.

Ten family members, friends, professors and loved one shared their memories of Braxton. They described him as a “connector,” someone who brought people together. He made people feel seen, and saw them for who they were. He made an effort to make everyone around him feel valued. Though a “goofball,” he knew when to be serious. He was a confident; he taught people how to trust. He was a light for all in is life, and impacted everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him — at Trinity and beyond.

He is deeply missed by everyone in his life.

He is remembered by his family.

Braxton’s father, Craig Barry, described Braxton as a kind, smart man with many diverse interests. He uplifted everyone he knew, and despite his strong character, he was deeply humble. He loved all sports and many different kinds of music. He watched his son grow at Trinity, and it made a significant impact on him, while he also impacted all of those around him. He and his sister, Amber, had plans to travel, and he was looking forward to starting his life with his girlfriend and as an associate at Ernst & Young. He was genuine, and Craig Barry encouraged everyone to live like he did: authentically and empathetically.

“He just built very strong connecting relationships. He had people from all throughout his life. Even when he was in the hospital, we knew he was not going to make it, we had people fly in from California and all these people that he went to middle school and high school with. He just had that sort of impact.”

He is remembered by Henry Thompson.

Henry Thompson, class of ’25, was Braxton’s roommate, teammate and friend. “Wherever I was, he was as well,” Thompson said. “Braxton was the type of person to feel like a best friend as soon as someone met him. He never made people feel like they had to be someone else.”

“I will always cherish the late-night adventures and the endless daily activities we used to do together. One memory I have with Braxton was the night after senior night. I just remember how excited and happy he was for me when I got into the game. I remember him always just having my back, and when they were about to put me in, just being there talking to me when I was on the bike. I remember how overzealous he was when I scored, and after the game, when we all went out, I just remember how happy he was.”

He is remembered by Ananya Bhogaraju.

Ananya Bhogaraju, class of ’25, met Braxton two weeks before their first year in Trinity’s Summer Bridge programs, and grew close their sophomore year. She described their relationship as “sibling-coded,” laughing with and at each other, as well as showing up during the hard moments. He reminded her of the importance of staying present, laughing when she can and being kind, she said.

“Some of my favorite memories are the most simple ones. Cackling together, making TikToks in the library when we were supposed to be studying, sharing music recs or the random conversations and inside jokes. There were countless nights when all of our friends would sit together playing cards, blasting music and just being in each other’s company … His birthday last year, all of us girls made everyone do face masks, and we spent the night telling stories, playing games and counting down the minutes [on] the clock until midnight when it officially became his birthday”

He is remembered by Kristin Fowler.

Kristin Fowler, class of ’25, met Braxton during move-in their first year at Trinity. She found him making conversation with her mom, and she introduced them. That made sense, she said, because he was the type who could talk to anyone. She never felt alone after that, she said; he made life lighter and reminded her of her worth.

“He showed up, over and over again, and he never let you forget that you mattered. Braxton brough so much joy, laughter and color into the world. He had a gift for making people laugh — even when you didn’t feel like it. Braxton was one of the most real people I have ever known. He was 100% himself, and he made everyone around him feel like they could do the same. In Braxton’s presence, there was always ease.”

He is remembered by Gabe Parr.

Gabe Parr, junior health professions major, was Braxton’s teammate and friend. He was Braxton’s recruit during Parr’s visit to Trinity, and Braxton always looked out for him. Braxton never met a stranger, Parr said, and he taught Parr how to let his barriers down. He taught him that it was OK to trust people.

“It was a late night. We’d gone to Prague the summer before his senior year. We were traveling as a basketball team. We played three games out there, and one of the nights out there, … we just went on a walk. We just literally talked about life on the beautiful streets of Prague — where we saw ourselves going, basketball and the future … That’s a core memory of him and I one-on-one, just walking the streets of Prague.”

He is remembered by Zach Fenn.

Zach Fenn is a senior finance major, friend and teammate to Braxton. Fenn and Braxton shared a love for LSU football, and they met before Fenn even came to campus. They traveled with the team, and Fenn remembers him for his humor, his leadership and his constant energy.

“He would wear a pink bonnet to sleep, and I jokingly said to him ‘Gosh, I need one of those.’ We do secret santa every year with the team, and he got me a pink bonnet … he would lower it over his ears and his eyes. The bonnet was massive. I would wear it just like him, just like how he taught me.”

He is remembered by his team.

Chris Ramos, assistant athletic trainer, was Braxton’s athletic trainer for four years. He first met him and described him as a “goofball,” and watched him grow into a man over his four years at Trinity.  “Braxton loved his teammates, he loved his family, he loved playing basketball, he loved his friends. He never took a day for a granted.”

Jimmy Smith, former Trinity head men’s basketball coach, recruited Braxton to play at Trinity. He saw the impact that Braxton had on the team and the university, and he saw Braxton grow both emotionally and physically while on his team. He and the team won’t forget his legacy, he said.

 “On the court, he was a big producer for us, but also when he wasn’t in the game, he was a big cheerleader, kept everyone’s spirits high and focused on the job that needed to be done.

He is remembered by his professors.

Sunita White is the director of master of science in accounting program and Brown Professor of Professional Practice of accounting at Trinity. “His smile was infectious. One thing I remember about him is that he would cock his head when he was engaged. Some students, you can tell, are just typing and not paying attention. But with him, you could tell that when he had his head cocked, he was thinking and he was getting ready to answer a question, make a funny remark or that he was engaged. It meant a lot of different things, that he was smiling and being happy, but also that he was not only engaged in the classroom, but engaged as a person.”

Julie Persellin is the department chair and associate professor of accounting at Trinity. “The most important thing that I can get from this job is the ability to get to know students like Braxton. Honestly, he made my life better because he showed me what it means to be an open, kind person.”

The Trinitonian would like to thank Craig Barry, Ananya Bhogaraju, Zach Fenn, Kristin Fowler, Gabe Parr, Julie Persellin, Chris Ramos, Jimmy Smith, Henry Thompson and Sunita White for sharing their time with and photos of Braxton. We are eternally grateful to continue on the legacy of love that he embodied.