Robert Bratten's Obituary
Bob Bratten, 91, Family Man, Texan and Grape Nuts Aficionado. Ask people who knew Robert (Bob) Powell Bratten well to describe him in one phrase, and the most common answer would be “Larger than life.” Some might think that this phrase referred to his height of 6’4” but it was much more. It was his approach to every aspect of his life from family to faith to service to his community and his Country. Bob was larger than life in everything that he did. When it came to family, he was a devoted husband married for 68 years to the love of his life Barney Bratten. He was a loving father of three, grandfather of five and great-grandfather of eight (with one on the way). Bob raised his family on the farm. A farm complete with cattle, horses, sheep, and turkeys on what is now Princeton Road in Memphis. He was larger than life in the community. He co-founded and served as first president of the East Memphis Kiwanis Club; served as Chairman of the Board for Forward Memphis; was president of the Memphis Advertising Club; co-founded Tall Trees, a facility for troubled youth; served on numerous other boards including the Salvation Army, Salvation Army ARC, Memphis Red Cross, Penal Farm Work Release and Memphis Rotary. Bob and his family have been members of Second Presbyterian Church since 1952. When it came to serving his Country, Bob served as a Captain in the Army Air Corps during World War II and as a volunteer sheriff in Hood County, Texas. Professionally Bob was larger than life when it came to innovation. After graduating from Ohio State University, Bob served as Executive Vice President of McGregor’s Inc., the largest appliance wholesaler in the Midsouth. Bob then headed operations and sales for Frigidaire first in Memphis and then for the Western U.S. and then for the Eastern U.S. Leaving the corporate world, Bob ran the 3,000 acre Bratten-Paluxy ranch near Tolar, Texas earning multiple soil conversation awards from the state for the innovative measures he developed. While on the ranch Bob became a strong advocate for the Texas Cattle Industry going so far as to develop bumper stickers including one that read “Support Beef Run Over a Chicken.” Bob’s travels were more than most would accomplish in many lifetimes. At the age of 16, Bob worked his way across the Atlantic on a freighter during summer break. Over the course of his life, Bob visited over 70 countries and all seven continents. Unconfirmed reports have Bob as one of the largest consumers of Grape Nuts Cereal in history. From 1928 to the day he died, Bob consumed on average a 24 oz. box of Grape Nuts every three days equaling almost 9,500 boxes or over seven tons of cereal. Bob spent the last years of his life surrounded by his family, friends and a group of loving caregivers. He leaves his wife Eleanor Bratten, children David Bratten and wife Flora, Susan Ison and husband Mickey, Kathy Todd and husband Stuart. Grandchildren Rob Volmer, Jon Volmer, Elizabeth Deacon, Rebecca Hendrickson, and Anna Todd. Graveside services to be held on Wednesday, April 7 at 11:00 AM at Memorial Park in Memphis. In lieu of memorials, the family requests that contributions be made to the Salvation Army, Salvation Army ARC, Second Presbyterian Church, or a charity of their own choosing. Memorial Park Funeral Home (901)767-8930
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