Dean Allen Bratton

Dean Allen Bratton of Haltom City passed away on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. Dean was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 28, 1952, to Richard Dean Bratton and Georgia Ruth Bratton. Dean was born into a military family and they lived in California, Missouri, and Texas. Dean graduated from high school at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri. He joined the Navy and served our country for nine years, primarily as a Tactical Computer Technician. Dean began his assignment at Palma De Mallorca, Spain. He traveled to 22 countries during his time of service and his last station assignment was Attack Squadron Twenty Five at NAS Lemoore, CA.

After his military service, Dean began working as a computer analyst. He worked for Microsoft and then retired from Equitrac.

Dean lived life to the fullest and enjoyed many hobbies. He was a certified Scuba diver/instructor and enjoyed diving in such beautiful places as Cozumel. He had his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying small aircraft. Dean loved motorcycles and was proud of his Harley Davidson Street Glide. He and Brenda traveled on this bike all over Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and every state from Texas to Florida.

Dean was a member of the American Legion and Patriot Guard Riders. He often rode his bike to honor deceased members of the U.S. Military.

From early childhood, Dean’s mother instilled in him a love of good food and cooking. Dean was also inspired by Julia Childs and Jacques Pepin. Dean would follow a recipe as outlined and then work to recreate it or fine-tune it to his standard. Many of his family and friends have feasted on his delicious meals. He especially loved to cook for large family holiday dinners.

Dean was a unique character who, like so many of us, was opinionated, and he expressed those opinions freely. He loved a good debate and would often provoke others to draw them into a conversation. Dean was strong-willed and did not tolerate fools. But once you got past his crusty exterior, he was fun, kind, and a loyal friend. Dean has been described by friends as highly intelligent, a “nut,” sweet, and a true gentleman. He will be missed by those who loved him.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Georgia Bratton.

Dean is survived by the love of his life, Brenda Schrader; her son and daughter-in-law, Josh and Victoria Schrader, and their son, SJ; daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Jayton May and their son, Parker. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Martinez and her husband, Ralph; nieces, April Anguiano, her husband, Adrian, and their son, Abram; and nephew, John Martinez. 

Dean is also survived by his brother, Mike Tomlinson, and his wife, Terri; her daughter, Jessica Ashcraft, and husband, James, and grandchildren, Pria and James; daughter, Megan McDearman, and fiancé, Christine Navin; and daughter, Kelly Schuck, and husband, Phillip, and their daughter, Elizah. Dean is also survived by a host of friends from his various walks of life, including friends from The Shack, the American Legion Lodge, former co-workers, and others.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 14, 2021, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at The Burger and Philly Shack, 6016 Denton Highway, Watauga, Texas 76148. All are cordially invited to join us as we remember Dean.