Obituary: Herman L. ‘Bud’ Bracken

Herman L. “Bud” Bracken, age 88, a resident of Oak Ridge, passed away, Thursday, May 15, 2014, at the Ben Atchley Tennessee Veterans Home in Knoxville.

Mr. Bracken was born March 26, 1926, in Chimney Rock, N.C. He and his family moved to Oak Ridge in 1943.

“Bud” was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 and served his country in World War II. While serving in the Army, on his 19th birthday he boarded a ship headed for the invasion of Okinawa. Three months later, the bomb was dropped, and Japan surrendered.

After his return to the United States, he was again on a ship headed for South Korea. In 1949, he was discharged from the U.S. Army and then he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force and he served for a total of 21 years, six months, and 25 days. While serving, he received several medals, citations, ribbons, and commendations.

After retiring from the military, Bud and his family came back to Oak Ridge, and he worked as a science technologist for Martin Marietta until his second retirement.

Mr. Bracken is preceded in death by his parents, Hugh Bracken and Fannie Geneva Bales Bracken; by his wife, Ruthie Mae Martin Bracken; by a brother, Glenn Bracken; and by a sister, Betty McKinney.

He is survived by his children: Michael Bracken of Fairbanks, Alaska, Daniel Bracken and wife Mary of Harriman, and Stephanie Dawson of Oak Ridge; by grandchildren: Justin Bracken and wife Beth of Bluff City, Tenn., Kayla Dawson and Shelby Dawson of Oak Ridge; and by a sister, Fonda Barnes of Knoxville.

He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

The family received friends, Tuesday, May 20, between 12 and 2 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral followed at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor Terry Richards officiating. Burial and graveside services followed at Oak Ridge Memorial Park with full military honors.

Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.sharpfh.com.