It is requested by Dicks family that the attire be that of the Red, White, and Blue.
Richard Bratton, age 71, of Gillette, Wyoming, died Thursday, October 14, 2004, at the Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette, Wyoming of pancreatic cancer.
Richard Waldo Bratton, Dick, was born February 28, 1933, the son of Ralph Waldo and Madeleine Edna (Baker) Bratton in Basin, Wyoming. He attended rural school and graduated from Basin High School in 1951. Dick served in the United States Marine Corps from January 1956 to January 1959. He received many honors while serving his country, including Battalion Honor Man in Boot Camp and good conduct medals. He was grateful to be a part of the flag raising honor guard on the opening of the Greater New Orleans Bridge over the Mississippi River in 1958. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Dick continued his education and played for the Montana State College Basketball Team in Bozeman, Montana. On February 8, 1959, he married his devoted wife, Alice Walk Peckham at St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Billings, Montana. Together they raised three children, Richard, Randall and Beth while living in the communities of Custer, Lead and Newcastle, Wyoming.
Dicks employment with Black Hills Power and Light spanned forty-four years, moving him to Lead, Custer, Newcastle and Gillette. During his employment, he was district manager and Wyoming area manager in charge of public relations. He was dedicated to improving and expanding the economic development of mineral and natural resources.
Dicks desire to serve and help develop each community in which he lived was apparent by the multitude of committees, boards, campaigns, and charities on which he served. He enjoyed his involvement in Jaycees, Rotary, Lions, Chamber of Commerce, and Kiwanis Club. He was active in economic development, higher educational opportunities and the Episcopal Church. He served on the State of Wyomings Department of Education Goals Committee, Wyoming Coal Information Committee, Campbell County Land Board, Military Services Academies Appointment Screen Committee, Campbell County Health Care Foundation, Senator Mike Enzis State Campaign Chairman, Campbell County Economic Development Board, and the Campbell County Optional Sales Tax Committee. Recently, Dick served on the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee to advise the U.S. Secretary of Treasury on theme and design issues for the Lewis and Clark nickel.
Dick truly lived his life to the fullest, enjoying his travels with family and friends across the United States and abroad. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in sporting events and monitoring their academics. Dick was a wonderful story-teller and enjoyed laughter with his friends. He loved singing in the church choir and leading everyone in God Bless America. Also, Dick enjoyed raising his flags in honor of all Americans, but especially in honor of the men and women fighting to protect the United States of America.
Dick has touched many peoples hearts through his kindness, integrity and patriotism. His major priorities during his lifetime were his wife, Alice, their three children and eight grandchildren. Dick is survived by his wife, Alice Bratton of Gillette; his three children and families - Dick (Lisa) Bratton of Casper, Wyoming, Randy (Nicky) Bratton of Gillette, Wyoming and Beth (Larry) Tocci of Billings, Montana; his eight grandchildrenRichie Bratton, Jessica Bratton, Mackenzie Bartsch, Shea Bartsch, Sierra Bartsch, Caitlin Tocci, Jake Bratton and Rhett Bratton; his sister Carolyn Finley of Rapid City, South Dakota and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and his sister Imogene McClain.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the R.W. Bratton Memorial Fund to benefit local charities in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. 5th, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may be sent via the internet at www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorial services for Richard Waldo Bratton, known to his family and friends as Dick, age 71, of Gillette, Wyoming, will be at 1:30 pm Monday, October 18, 2004 at the Cam-plex Heritage Center with Reverend Jim McConnell of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Gillette and The Very Reverend Marilyn Engstrom of the St. Matthews Episcopal Church of Laramie, Wyoming officiating. Military honors are provided by the U.S. Marine Honor Guard. As Dick requested, inurnment will take place at a later date in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. It is requested by Dicks family that the attire be that of the Red, White, and Blue. Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home of Gillette, Wyoming is entrusted with the arrangements
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