Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1937
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
Kenneth Bracey Obituary
Dunlap, IL—Kenneth W. "Ken" Bracey, 80, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at his residence. Ken was born June 11, 1937, in New Holland, Ill, to Ted and Anna (Stolz) Bracey. He married Judith Winter on December 29, 1963 in Mason City, Ill.; she preceded him in death on January 18, 1995. He later married Nancy Nelson on December 9, 1997 in Maui, Hawaii.
Surviving are his wife, Nancy, of Dunlap; three daughters, Becky (Tom) Bazzetta of Morton, Jean (Loren) Soria of Geneseo, Ill., and Kathy (Jerry) McCombs of Peoria; one son Mark (Tonya) Nelson of Sioux City, Iowa; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his brother John (Phyllis) Bracey of Canton, Mo.
Ken pitched in relief from 1956 to 1964 in the New York Yankees and New York Giants/San Francisco Giants organizations.
Ken was known as one of the most respected scouts in Major League baseball. He worked for the San Diego Padres for many years, where he was a scout, a national crosschecker, and a minor league manager. In 1984 and 1998, he was part of the Padres' pennant-winning clubs and continued to work for the club from 1969 to 1987 and again from 1990 to 2009. While with the Padres, he worked as a Special Assistant to the General Manager, Kevin Towers, from 1997 to 2006. Ken also served as a scout from 1987 to 1990 with the Brewers. He spent 2007 to 2013 working as a Special Assistant for the LA Dodgers General Manager, Ned Colletti. In 2004, Ken was named the scout of the year for the Midwest and was inducted into the Major League Baseball Scouting Hall of Fame in 2005. He thought of the scouts he worked with over the years as family.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2017, at Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton. Burial will be at a later date at Mason City Cemetery in Mason City.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Bracey
Sponsored by Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Morton.
January 2, 2018
My condolences to the family. Continue to rely on God know that he hears prayers, Isaiah 59:1.
December 22, 2017
Nancy, Jean and Becky,
Janet and I would like to extend our sympathy to you and your loss. Kenny was a very good husband, father and friend to all. He never forgot his friends in Mason City. I remember many times when he wasn't traveling and working that he would make the trip to Mason City to see my dad Riley Milby, Earl Tucker and Danny Ainsworth amongst many more. I was fortunate enough to be a friend of Kenny. People will ask me how did you know him? Our friendship started when my dad was a bus driver and picked Kenny up and took him home. Even though he was 9 yrs older than me he would have me sit by him on the bus. He was always very good to me. That friendship carried on for more than 60 yrs. I went with him many times when he was scouting and managing. He was considered the best in the business. I also would like to share a couple of humorous stories. First when he came home in the fall from playing, he would come to our fall baseball practices. One day I was assigned to catch him as he pitched to us. He called me to the mound and said I will be a fastball, 2 a curve, 3 a change up, and 4 a slider. Well I had never heard of a slider so I just used the other 3 pitches. About the 4th batter he kept shaking my signs off until it forced me to call for the slider. His next pitch (slider) broke so much it missed my glove by a foot and caught me on the inside of my right knee. I went to the mound and said, "No more sliders." He just laughed. He had a good one. A lot of you know Kenny also officiated basketball. Kenny was a very good official and according to him he didn't miss many calls. One night he was officiating for me and I thought he had one of his rare mistakes. i got off the bench to say something and he stopped right in front of me. His comment was "just sit down and be quiet I missed it." What could I say?
In 1971 I went to Lodi, California to watch him manage the Padres minor league team. He got thrown out of the game in the 1st inning. He then came and sat by us for the rest of the night. I told him I thought the umpire made the right call. He said, "you're right but if I didn't get thrown out I would't be able to talk to you." Kenny had a lot more humor in him than most people know. I know I will miss the talks we had together. He will be missed by a lot of people. I figure God has a plan for him. It will be managing a team in heaven.
Thanks for being our friend.
Joe Zimmerman
Ned Seymour
December 21, 2017
Sorry to hear of Ken's passing. He refereed many basketball games for me and did a great but I didn't always tell him that! Great man!
December 18, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of Kenny's passing and extend heartfelt condolences to family and friends, with special thoughts to his dear wife Nancy. May your warm memories warm your heart and. comfort you during this trying times.
December 18, 2017
Our sincere condolences to the Bracey family in the loss of your dear love one. Our prayers are as yours, that God provide his care and comfort you each day. - Ps 145:18,19
Scott Snyder
December 18, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss Nancy. I remember all the times my dad Chub talking about all the baseball times they shared together when they were younger and signing with the New York Yankees. He was a great baseball man and will be missed dearly.
Scott R. Snyder
December 16, 2017
Nancy,
Sorry to hear of Kenny's passing. He always had a huge smile to share and always knew us no matter where we happened to meet. Enjoy his memories.
Love and Prayers,
Mike and Donna Snider
John Means
December 16, 2017
Kenny was a wonderful person and a great baseball man. I will miss our conversations and our link to the National Pastime. Love to you Nancy.
December 15, 2017
Nancy, Becky and Jean, you have my sympathy. Kenny was a great guy, was always there for everybody and always checked on family members.
He will be missed. I will not make it on December 23rd that is our family Christmas, but my thoughts are with all of you.
Joanne Burris
December 15, 2017
so sorry to hear about the passing of ken. we send our love and condolences.
andrea & merle lee
Sandy Cook
December 15, 2017
Sorry to hear of Kenney's death. His mother and my grandmother were sisters. His mother used to come to Lincoln and get me on the week-end and take me to spend the week-end with her and uncle Ted. They were a good family, and raised two wonderful boys.
My thoughts are with you.
Sandy(Thompson) Cook
Your Neighbor..
December 15, 2017
My sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. May you find comfort knowing that those who die, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. - Psalm 116:15
Lynne Onken
December 15, 2017
So sad/ sorry to hear this. Ken was a great guy, always remembered me, I am thinking because he was with the Yankees and my dad, Riley Milby was a Yankee fan, as am I. He always asked about my mom and dad, took time to see them when he was in Mason City. Even when they were at the nursing home. Sympathy, hugs and prayers to the entire Bracey family.
Dale Bergman
December 15, 2017
One thing about Kenny he always knew you. Went to school with ken. Was a good friend but went our own way.
Robert Adams
December 15, 2017
Most of our 1955 Mason City Husky class was together in May we had some time to talk and enjoy the day. It was great to see Ken and all of our class mates-- We will miss you Ken Robert & Judy Adams
1955 Classmates
Robert Adams
December 15, 2017
Ken & Bob
Robert Adams
December 15, 2017
December 14, 2017
RIP old Buddy Mason City huskie school mate
Had good fortune of having breakfast with Ken in November
Lynn Anderson
Wilma Thompson
December 14, 2017
Sympathy and Prayers to the family of Kenny Bracey. Sorry l won't be able to attend, but my thoughts will be with you. I am a second cousin on his Dad's side.
Showing 1 - 20 of 20 results
Make a Donation
in Kenneth Bracey's name
Memorial Events
for Kenneth Bracey
Dec
23
Visitation
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Morton140 S. Detroit Ave., Morton, IL 61550
Funeral services provided by:
Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Morton140 S. Detroit Ave., Morton, IL 61550
How to support Kenneth's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Kenneth Bracey's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
