Donald “Don” Craig Bracken, 52, died Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at Billings Clinic in Billings following a short illness.
Born February 16, 1962 in Coalinga, CA, he was the son of Donald and Janice (Bruner) Bracken. He and his mother and sisters moved to Thermopolis, Wyoming when Don was in middle school. He played football and basketball for the Bobcats, going on to achieve All State and All Conference honors and played in the Shrine Bowl.
Don attended the University of Michigan earning a degree in physical science. He continues to hold the Rose Bowl record for the longest punt, 73 yards, set in 1980 as a freshman at Michigan. For six seasons he played with the Green Bay Packers and two seasons with the Rams before starting his own construction business in Birmingham, Alabama.
In 1990 he married Mary Laurie Masucci. To this union was born two daughters. The couple later divorced.
In 2009, Don moved to Thermopolis from Phoenix, AZ, and began working for Atlas Roofing.
He was a member of the Malta Lodge #17 AF &AM. His interests included hunting, fishing and golf.
Survivors include his grandmother, Jean Bruner of Thermopolis, father, Donald Bracken; daughters, Mary Katherine and Melissa Bracken, both of Birmingham, Alabama; sisters, Shawna Bracken and Connie (Clay) Lippincott, both of Phoenix, AZ and his companion, Cindy Glasson of Thermopolis. Those preceding him in death were his grandfather, Jack Bruner; mother, Janice Contreras; grandmother, Micki Bruner and grandmother Bracken.
Funeral services will be Friday, Nov. 7, 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church with Pastor Nathan Winters officiating. Burial at Monument Hill Cemetery will be officiated by the Masonic Lodge.
A memorial scholarship has been set up in Don's name. It will be a football scholarship for a deserving Thermopolis Bobcat.
Don Bracken Memorial Football Scholarship
Central Bank & Trust
435 Arapahoe
Thermopolis, WY 82443
307-864-5561