BRAGG
Alton Braxton “DICK” Bragg Jr. left this tiny part of eternity at his home surrounded by his children, their mother, and his grandsons, Adam and Trevor, on Sunday, June 13, 2021. He had very few ailments that were not the result of age. Over the years, he had given his children instructions for this final celebration.
Born in Sandstone, WV on April 30, 1933 to Alton Basil and Nancy Irene Lewis Bragg, he was the fourth of nine children.
He graduated from Sandstone High School in 1951. There he excelled in six-man football and basketball. After graduation, he was hired by the C&O railroad; he was 18 years old. Soon furloughed for eight years (d*%$ed Eisenhower), he joined the 82nd Airborne. He liked to tell whoever would listen that Fort Bragg was named for him. After the Korean War was over, he came home to Sandstone, where he cut timber and saw milled until the C&O called him back. He took early retirement in 1993 to work with his son, Gary, cutting timber. Those were his only jobs.
Dad loved to give instructions to people, whether he knew what he was talking about or not. He was known for pointing his finger while directing and twirling his hair or twiddling his thumbs while at rest or when pondering his next move. He was an avid WVU fan. I have been told that he once watched the same game four times. He loved a big, big, BIG garden, “You never know what is going to happen,” he would say, and he always shared his garden with his neighbors.
He loved to coon hunt in his younger days. We often heard tales of “Ol’ Ranger ‘n me.” In his latter days, he could be found sitting on the bench at Richmond’s Store giving directions or telling “his” version of area history to tourists passing through and just about anyone else who would listen. For example, the derecho storm that hit WV on June 29, 2012 knocked power out for two or three weeks in places. A neighbor asked, “Dick, have you ever known the power to be out this long?” Without batting an eye dad replied, “Only the first 18 years of my life.”
He often pontificated on HIS politics. Due to that “d*%$ed Eisenhower” he became a yellow dawg Democrat, “I only voted for a Republican once and that was for Sheriff.”
Besides his parents, loved ones preceding him on this trip were brothers, Gene, Rush, and Rhett; sisters, Mary, Ona, Carol, and Myla; and three nieces and nephews.
Surviving him are his children, Brady and wife, Bev of Portland, TN, Gary of Green Sulphur Springs, WV, Joyce of Washington, DC, and Janie and husband, Eddie of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Adam, Trevor, Cruz, and Skyler; his children’s mother, Jewell of Green Sulphur Springs, WV; his sister, Chrystal Gowings of Lewisburg, WV; and 27 nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly.
Special thanks to Danielle and Paul Gill who were there any time we called, day or night, Virgie (Ward) Jollay who helped to ease any doubts, and Lick Creek Baptist Church who blessed our breaking hearts.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Pivont Funeral Chapel with Pastor Melvin Wills officiating. Burial followed in the “Dick Bragg Cemetery” above his house, north of Sandstone. Friends could call from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were railroad buddies, Steve Duncan and Pat Bowers; good friend, Jerry Gwinn; his buddy and helper, Paul Gill; son-in-law, Eddie; and grandsons, Adam, Trevor, and Cruz.
Honorary Pallbearers were Denny Durrett and the ladies of Sandstone Store, his family, and all of his many, many friends.
Online condolences at www.pivontfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton, WV.
