GERALD "DON" BRATTON, 66, a loving son, husband,
father and grandfather, died on May 15, 2005, in
Willow Park, TX, with burial at Laurel Land
Memorial Park.
Don was born Nov. 16, 1938 in Ranger, TX. He attended
Ranger High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Army,
101st Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles. He
retired from AT&T/Lucent after 44 years of service.
Upon retiring, he enjoyed hunting, fishing & gardening,
and he became the resident baby-sitter for his 10
grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Bailey
Bratton.
Survivors at the time of his death: mother, Sarah
Louise Bratton of Ranger; wife, Anna Beth Bratton
of Willow Park; sons, Billy Don Bratton and wife,
Tricia, Ron Paul and wife, Gina, and Wyatt Paul
and wife, Donna; daughters, Kerry Aaubers and
husband, Scott, and Denise Clay & husband, Donald;
grandchildren, Anjelica, Karaline, Charlotte,
Christian, Scott, Anna Jean, Sidney, Briley, Brandi
and DJ; brother, William Ray Bratton (RHS-1954) and
wife, Marilyn, of Louisiana; sister, Janie Friedlein
and husband, Mike, of Virginia; and several nieces,
nephews and cousins.
MOTHER: SARAH LOUISE SHAFFER BRATTON was born on
Oct. 16, 1917 in Bowden, OK and went to be with our
Lord on Oct. 13, 2020, with burial in Evergreen
Cemetery at Ranger, TX.
Sarah, who was known as Louise to her friends and
family, spent her early years in Oklahoma. Her
family moved to Crane, TX in 1930, when her father
took a job in the newly opened oil fields.
She married George William “Mac” Bratton in May of
1935 in Odessa, TX. They moved to his hometown of
Ranger, TX in 1937, splitting time after that between
Crane and Ranger for many years and raising three
children.
Louise was a self-taught pianist and enjoyed playing
and singing Hymns. She often told the story of how
when she was young, her family would go for a drive
singing hymns at the top of their lungs. People could
hear them coming for miles around.
A smart woman with a love of learning, Louise attended
nursing school in her 50s, combining and fulfilling her
dream of profession and helping others. Upon graduation,
she worked at hospitals in Crane, Ranger, Eastland, and
Weatherford. In addition, Louise never stopped turning
to school, specifically Ranger College, to explore and
learn. She took classes in comparative religion, history,
and a computer class in her 80s, so she could continue
independent study. Her love of learning also extended
to travel, visiting New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and
much of Europe.
An industrious woman, hobbies also translated to productive
work such as tending, harvesting, and canning. Her downtime
would typically find her tending her roses, playing the
piano, or reading. She learned the art running a cattle
ranch in her early 60s. She successfully maintained this
family business on her own, while also continuing her
nursing career for the next 20 years. She finally retired
from both at the age of 82.
Spunky and lively into her 90s, she continued to ride roller
coasters every chance afforded to her. From Six Flags Over
Texas to Disney parks, she rode every thrill ride even at
the age of 92.
Entertaining guests and family gave Louise immense joy. A
table full of delicious food, abundant laughter and hugs
fill the memories of her family. Witty, warm, and fun to
be around, she enjoyed laughing and making others laugh.
Although she loved old gospel hymns, her favorite melody
was hearing her family laugh together. Her children and
grandchildren were her world.
Sarah Louise Bratton is preceded in death by her husband
George William Bratton, her brother William “Billy” Shaffer,
her sister Martha (Shaffer) Thompson, her son, Gerald Don
Bratton (RHS-1956) and one great-grandchild.
She is survived by her son, William Ray Bratton (RHS-1954),
her daughter, Janie Ann Friedlein, six grandchildren, 13
great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.