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BORN
1925
DIED
2020
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Keith Bratton Obituary
Sarasota, FL - Keith Edward Bratton, 94, life long Hoosier, WW II Navy veteran and proud Butler graduate, passed away peacefully in Sarasota FL March 16, 2020.
A creative genius, Keith saw beyond the ordinary to what might be. His advertising campaigns won numerous awards. He treasured friendships and was happiest being with family or working at his drawing board on his "whimisicals" cut paper artworks with a humorous twist.
Keith is survived by his children, Kim Bratton (Mark Reed), Kirk Bratton (Dawn), and Eric Bratton, grandson Justin Keith Bratton and half brother, Ron Bratton.
As Keith would always say, raising his glass of red wine "Here's to your loveliness". Here's to yours, KB.
Donations in memory of Keith can be made to the Butler University College of Communications Annual Scholarship Advancement Fund Department.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Keith Bratton
Keith Palmer
November 29, 2025
Just learned about this guy today. Very cool dude!
Abiyah McNelly
September 3, 2023
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
John Schumacher
July 6, 2020
He was the first person to dream creatively about the possibility of a theme park for Indiana. He called it Indiana Heritage Park. I worked with him and he created the logos for the Old Indiana park during its tenure at Thorntown, Indiana. He created its mascot character known as Adolph the Alligator.
Im now in Arizona and I just learned of Keiths demise. May he be resting in peace.
April 9, 2020
How you can show support
April 9, 2020
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DAD AND ME..
Eric Bratton
March 30, 2020
March 26, 2020
Our family met Keith where he lived across the hall from my stepmom at their assisted living facility. In the 3-1/2 years we knew him, he has forever touched us with his humor, quick wit, intelligence, and warmth and kindness. His art and the humor he would put into it let us see the little things in life in a brighter light. He was an amazing man that we will always treasure knowing and we feel truly blessed to have known him. While our visits were often to say "hello" and to brighten his day in a small way, he brightened our days and lives immensely. Our hearts are with his wonderful family.
The Gibson Family, Fishers, Indiana
Keith's work for our wine labels
Deb Miller
March 24, 2020
Keith's work for our wine labels
Deb Miller
March 24, 2020
Deb Miller
March 24, 2020
I had the pleasure of meeting Keith for the first time in 2019 when he entered an art contest for our winery - looking for the art for new labels. We fell in love with the whimsy that Keith captured for the contest and we awarded the prize to him. I was able to visit him and have lunch with him as we were picking up the artwork. It was amazing to see his talent and so much fun to bask in his stories and enthusiasm. We hosted a reception for him to present the award with his friends and family, and it was great to be part of that group, watching him interact with everyone. It was clear that he was greatly loved. The world has lost an amazing man, but all of us who got the chance to know him, for however short a time, are truly blessed. He will be missed.
From Gerald Middleton, Denver, CO.
March 24, 2020
March 24, 2020
I appreciate the opportunity to add my thoughts to this collection. I, along with so many others, loved Keith and he knew that and loved me in return. I have known Keith for a long time since his Butler days and watched him raise his three children so lovingly who loved him and took such care of him in his later years. Keith had an insatiable appetite for learning about everything i.e., other languages, musical instruments etc. I always told him that he was the most creative person that I had ever known which he denied but was, without question, the truth. I am the proud owner of one of his original drawings. It is the one with the computer characters and is a treasure. I also have a print of the Augusta golf course that is really funny.
I remember when Keith came up with adding other ingredients to sausage patties and brought them to our house, cooked them wanting us to try them. They were good and he attempted to market them with companies like Jimmy Dean but they didn't buy the idea and later came up with the same patty that Keith proposed.
His genius should have made him a millionaire which didn't happen but he certainly left his incredible ideas, many of his hilarious drawings and love to so many. I am so thankful to be one of those recipients and will miss him.
Marj Pike
Wendy (Schenberg)
March 23, 2020
I promised him I would always love him and need him when he was 64! My love for him never stopped even after!! He will always be with me everywhere I go!!!
Mark Reed
March 22, 2020
One of the greatest tributes readers of this obituary could give Keith would be to post a note in his memory telling how his art touched your life. If you purchased, were gifted or were lucky enough to be the subject of one of his works of art please let others know.
Karen Steilberger
March 22, 2020
My late father spoke admiringly of Mr. Bratton and their time together as students in the journalism department at Butler. My sympathy to his family.
Flying a brick kite
Kim Bratton
March 22, 2020
Music of the heart art
Kim Bratton
March 22, 2020
Master gardener
Kim Bratton
March 22, 2020
Playing the ukulele
Kim Bratton
March 22, 2020
Playing the ukulele
Kim Bratton
March 22, 2020
Displaying artwork downtown Indy
Kim Bratton
March 22, 2020
At the Pete Dye course at French Lick
Kim Bratton
March 22, 2020
On campus with the Butler bulldog
Kim Bratton
March 22, 2020
Butler alumni art show
Kim Bratton
March 22, 2020
March 21, 2020
(My first attempt to send this apparently failed - please forgive if this is duplicated)
I met Keith 40 years ago when he created a caricature of me as a gift from the company I was leaving. I was so impressed that I hired Keith to create a logo for the company I was starting and asked him to incorporate values and principles that would guide my company - honesty, pioneer spirit, a change for a better life, hard work, lofty goals. He was truly a creative genius and his legacy lives on in the symbol of my company. I salute his military service, thank him for his efforts on my behalf and pray that he is now enjoying an eternity of creative artistry under the wing of his Heavenly Father. G. R.
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Funeral services provided by:
Your Traditions Cremation and Funeral Chapel2118 Constitution Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34231
People and places connected with Keith
Indianapolis, IN
The Indianapolis Star
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