John Gass Bratton
John Gass Bratton died peacefully on November 28, 2023 at Storypoint Assisted Living in Chattanooga where he had been for a little more than two years. He was 94 years old.
He was born in Witchita Falls, Tx., to The Rev. William DuBose Bratton and Ivy Gass Bratton. His grandparents were The Rt. Rev. Theodore DuBose Bratton and Lucy Beverly Randolph Bratton. John graduated from the University of the South in 1952 where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega. He was vice-president of Palmetto Shipping Company in Charleston, SC from 1963 through 1969. After the death of his mother, he returned to Sewanee and lived the rest of his life in their family home until his brief stay in Chattanooga. In Sewanee, he worked as executive director of Associated Alumni University of the South for seven years. He then became sales manager at Oldcraft Woodworkers of Sewanee. In his final job, he held executive positions with two hospital programs for alcohol and drug recovery through Bradford Health Services. He retired from Bradford as area marketing director in Tennessee.
John was very active in the Episcopal church. He had been a member of Otey Parish since 1938 except for 16 years at Grace Church in Charleston. He was on the vestry of both churches. At Otey, he was a board member of the Community Action Committee.
He was also very active in many organizations in the Sewanee community. He served as president of Sewanee Trust for Historic Preservation, president of Sewanee Senior Citizens and Chairman of the Friends of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival for several seasons. He was a charter member and program chair for many years at the Rotary Club of Monteagle and in 2004 was named a Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary's outstanding contribution award.
He was preceded in death by his two brothers, William Bratton and Theodore Bratton; and his sister, Lucy Bratton Brown.
His survivors include his nieces: Frances Cianciolo, Kathy Cobb, Lucy Powell and Anne Bratton; his nephews, Waldrup Brown and Palmer Brown. He also leaves many great nieces and nephews and their children.
A celebration of his life will be held at Parish of St. Mark & St. Paul (formerly Otey) on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 10:30 a.m. CT. Memorial donations may be made to the church, Sewanee Music Center, or University of the South.
Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415, 423 877-3524, lanefh.com.