Frank Bratton Obituary

Frank Richard Bratton

Frank Richard "Bud" Bratton, 91, passed away Saturday, May 27, 2023, in Clayton, California.

Bud was born Nov. 14, 1931, in Leipsic, to Mary Berger-Bratton and Francis Bratton.

After graduating from Leipsic High School in 1949, Richard enlisted in U.S. Air Force. He served three years as a codebreaker intelligence officer in Washington, D.C.

After his service with U.S. Armed Forces, Richard attended The Ohio State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Dairy Technology. While at Ohio State, he met Betty Kay Kennedy, the love of his life. They married March 22, 1958, in Findlay. It was the beginning of a loving 65-year marriage.

In April, 1959, Richard started an impressive 35-year career with Safeway Foods Inc. It was a chemist postion at the Safeway Ice Cream plant in Oakland, California that brought Richard, Betty, and their infant son, Rick, from Columbus to San Lorenzo, California. Throughout his 35 years at Safeway, he had 10 different assignments in seven different cities within California and Texas. They grew their family adding another son, Kurt, and daughter, Cheryl.

Richard and Betty made lifelong friends everywhere they went, enjoying dinners, card games, vacations, boating, and RVing together.

Richard spent his retirement volunteering at John Muir Medical Center for 20 years and refinishing wood furniture. His beautifully restored pieces will always be cherished by family and friends.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Betty; children, Rick Bratton, Kurt Bratton and his wife Laurie, and Cheryl Albee and her husband Brian; granddaughter, Jessica Albee; grandsons, Trevor Bratton (Whitney), Ryan Albee (Alyssa), and Kyle Bratton; great-granddaughter, Kennedy Bratton; great-grandson, William Albee; siblings, Mary Erford and Bill Bratton; and many nieces and nephews which he adored.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, Francis Bratton; mother, Mary Bratton; and brothers, Francis and Charles Bratton.

He was loved and will be missed.

Interment service with military honors will be 12:30 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2023, at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, California, with a reception to follow at 3 p.m. at Zio Fraedos, Pleasant Hill.