Harold “Gene” Bracken, 92, passed away on April 5, 2022, after a brief hospital stay due to complications from a fall. A Funeral Mass will be Friday, April 22 at 10:00 AM at Saint Williams Catholic Church, interment will follow the service at Memoryland Memorial Park. A Rosary will be at 6:00 PM, Thursday, April 21 in the chapel of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home and visitation will follow the Rosary from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Gene is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Betty Pauline Bracken; and siblings Kenneth “Larry” Bracken, Betty Jo Mitchell, and Doris Bracken.
Gene is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years Maryann (Pusateri) Bracken; his children Maura Klimisch (Alan), Chris Bracken (Cathy), Lianne McPhail (Kevin), and Scott Bracken; his grandchildren Ashton Wilson (Christian), Alyssa Chartier (Gabriel), Caroline Bracken, Winter Klimisch, Emily Klimisch, Christopher Bracken, Brice McPhail, Meredith McPhail, Joshua Klimisch, Katie Bracken, Sidnie McPhail, and Grace Klimisch; his great-grandchildren Rosalyn and Emma Wilson; and his siblings Carol Ann “Cookie” Cupit, Janice Pascuzzi, and David “Mike” Bracken. Gene grew up in and around the Wichita Falls/southern Oklahoma area and joined the Army after serving with the Navy Jr. ROTC. He did two tours in Korea. He was wounded in action during his first tour and received the Bronze Star for heroism. He graduated with a BS in Geology from Midwestern State University before returning to active duty. He was assigned to the ASA/NSA where he learned German and Arabic and met his wife Maryann. He retired in 1974 with a Meritorious Service Commendation at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3. In the early 1980s, he took early retirement from E-Systems in Greenville and began to explore the new world of personal computers. He wrote accounting software that he marketed to local businesses until he was edged out of the business by newer, faster machines and programs. Gene had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge that led him to some interesting hobbies. He was an avid tennis player well into his 80s. He built and flew ultra light airplanes. He was the first person at the gym every morning for years. He and Maryann would go dancing every week as long as their bodies allowed them. To keep his mind sharp as he aged he memorized poetry. He would start quoting “The Raven” or “The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner” or even parts of “The Rubaiyat” at any time! His most recent goal was to become fluent in Spanish. He took every opportunity to practice, even traveling to Panama, Costa Rica, and Spain to study. Determination is the overarching characteristic that describes Gene – determination to succeed and see his children and grandchildren succeed, and determination to care for the wife he loved. Another favorite poem of his, “Invictus”, says it best: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” That is the way he lived, and that is the way he died. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and may the perpetual light shine upon him.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund in care of St. Williams Catholic Church.
