Leonard N. Bracey

BRACEY, LEONARD N., 82, of Louisville, passed away Friday, March 6, 2009 at Baptist Hospital East, with his daughter and son by his side. He was a native of Crittenden County, KY, born May 8, 1926, a man who never met a stranger, always had a smile, and a helping hand to offer. He attended Valley High School and later graduated from Ahrens High School in 1961. He entered the U. S. Navy on March 11, 1944 at the age of 17 and served in the Pacific Theatre aboard the USS Benham (DD796) and USS LSM (44). His rank was Coxswain and he received the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal (1-star) and World War II Victory Medal, before being discharged on May 21, 1946. He was an electrician by trade, and founded Bracey Electric Co. in 1960. He retired from Naval Ordnance Station on August 18, 1971 after 18 years of Federal service. His hobbies included woodworking, cooking and gardening. He was past member of Electrical Clearing House of Lou. and Independent Electrical Contractors Assoc. of Lou., the founding and charter member of the YMCA Southwest Romeo Club, Disabled American Veterans life member, American Legion Post 220, 50-year continuous member, VFW Post 1693, life member, King Solomon Chapter #4 R. & S.M. life member, The Grand Lodge of Ky. F. & A.M. Plumb Lodge #862 life member, Master Mason for 50 years, a Kentucky Colonel, and a member of Beachland Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Della L. McNutt Bracey; grandson, Leonard Austin Bracey; and his parents, Gilliam and Edwina Bracey. Survivors include his daughter, Vikki Jo French (Jimmy); his son, Leonard G. Bracey; grandchildren, Buffy Simpson, Teara Osterhage (Phil) and Amber Riley; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lemmah Senn (Bob) and Jenny Meeve; and a devoted and loving companion, Pat Slaughter. Funeral services will be noon Tuesday at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Hwy., with burial in Louisville Memorial Gardens West. Visitation will be 1-9 p.m. Monday and after 10 a.m. on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, his family requests memorial donations be made to American Heart Association, 240 Whittington Pkwy., Louisville, KY, 40222; St. Jude Research Hospital, P. O. Box 50, Memphis, TN. 38101-9929, or J. Graham Brown Cancer Center, 529 S. Jackson St., Louisville, KY. 40202. Condolences to owenfuneralhome.com