Richard Huey Bratton Sr.'s Obituary
Richard Huey Bratton, Sr. (9/8/34 – 11/9/23) lived a full life. He was born in the rural town of Thorsby, Al, during the depression era and raised on a farm with animals and crops. His home had a dirt floor with a fireplace for heat. Water was from an outside well. He left school in the 8th grade to start working and began by driving a truck and would obtain a GED later in life.
In 1953 he married Doris Olean Littleton from the neighboring town of Jemison, AL. They made a life together and moved to Savannah, GA, where Richard was employed with American Cynamid. In 1956 Richard and Olean welcomed their twin daughters, Donna and Wanda into their family. Then, in 1962, Richard and Olean had a son, Richard Huey Bratton, Jr. while still living in Savannah. Shortly thereafter they moved to Marietta, GA, where Richard worked at Lockheed assembling the C5-A Galaxy transport aircraft.
Richard joined the Army National Guard to serve his country, specializing in electronics and attaining the rank of Chief Master Sargent. He went on frequent trips with the Guard and always enjoyed his trips to Denmark, telling family and friends about how much he liked the people and countryside. Later, he took a job with the Federal Communications Commission as an electronics technician and worked with law enforcement to track down drug dealers and criminals. He was the first computer tech with the FCC in Powder Springs, GA, maintaining and building their computers. His pastimes and hobbies included tinkering with electronics, fixing TV’s, VCR’s, radios and other consumer electronics for family and friends. He loved antiques and enjoyed shopping for them and restoring them. He was a master woodworker and built many fine pieces of furniture in his well-equipped shop. He enjoyed boating and fishing. He was a deacon at Mt. Pisgah Church and served on the Buildings & Grounds Committee. Some of his favorite television shows were This Old House, The New Yankee Workshop, Antiques Roadshow and Pawn Stars.
Mr. Bratton is predeceased in death by his son Huey and a brother, Loyce Henry Bratton, and survived by his wife of seventy (70) years, Olean; Donna James (Skip); Wanda Peratta (Bill); sister, Mary Ellen (Ronnie) Smith; brother, Thomas A. Bratton; granddaughter, Amanda Hartley (Gunnar); grandsons, Luke Bratton (Robyn) and Josh James; and great-grandson Samuel Banks Bratton.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, November 13th 2:00 PM at Davis-Struempf Chapel with Rev. Jeff Davis officiating. Interment will follow the service at Kennesaw Memorial Park. The family will receive friends for visitation before the service from 1:00-2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Gideons International.
For anyone wishing to view the service virtually, a livestream link will be available on Richard's Tribute page on www.davisstruempf.com at the above-listed service time.
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