Alton Bratcher

Services are scheduled at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9 at First Baptist Church for longtime Artesia resident Alton Boyce Bratcher. Mr. Bratcher, 74, died Tuesday morning, Nov. 6, 2007 in Artesia.

Rev. Rick Sullivan will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery where Altons service to his country will be honored by the Artesia Fire Department Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Jerry Fanning, Bill Gray, Bob Hendrickson, Larry Lynch, J. T. Jackson, and Floyd Anderson. Visitation at Terpening amp; Son Mortuary will begin at 10:00 a.m. Thursday.
PAlton Boyce Bratcher was born December 11, 1932 in Loraine, Texas to Thomas Jefferson Bratcher and Lily Mae Hughes Bratcher. He was the twelfth child of 13 children. Alton graduated from Artesia High School and during school met the love of his life Ruth Faulk Bratcher. Alton and Ruth were joined in marriage December 20, 1953. Upon graduation Alton enlisted in the Army National Guard in full time employment for 12 years and then went on to serve for a total of 30 years. Alton retired at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4. Alton worked several jobs and then got the opportunity to work at the Tastee Freez as a night manager. Alton truly found his true calling and with the help of Ruths mother, Alton and Ruth purchased the restaurant in March of 1967. The Tastee Freez became an icon for many Artesians, and the home away from home for Alton and Ruths children. Alton and Ruth employed literally hundreds of Artesias youth over the years and to this day many still call them Mom and Dad. PAlton was a member of First Baptist Church where he attended Adult 7 Sunday Scholl Class and sang in in the Church choir. He was a member of the Senior Golf Association, and was chairman of the Planning amp; Zoning Committee for the City of Artesia. Alton enjoyed being with his children and grandchildren. He was an avid handyman and could fix anything that was broken. PHe was preceded in death by his parents; by brothers Lynn, Earl, and J.O.; and by sisters Beatrice, Velna, and Vivian. PHe is survived by his wife Ruth of 53 years, sons Kent Bratcher and wife Sherrie of Artesia, Mike and his wife Anne Bratcher of Cedar Park, Texas, and Greg Bratcher and his wife Kerrie of San Angelo, Texas; daughter Karen Bratcher of Kirtland, N.M.; and grandchildren Klint, Kara, Kevin, Sloane and Zoe. PAlton is also survived by brothers Carlton Bratcher and wife Lavern of Apache Junction, Ariz., Homer Bratcher and wife Betty of Las Cruces, N.M., Bernice Bratcher and wife Elizabeth of Artesia, and Glenn Bratcher of Washington, DC; sisters Mildred Ward of Sugarland, Texas and Margie Neal of Andrews, Texas; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the N.M. Baptist Children's Home, P.O. Box 629, Portales, NM 88130 or to First Baptist Church, 322 W. Grand Ave, Artesia, NM 88210.