Can't believe that Jack is gone. He looked great at the Reunion...much healthier than most of us. His quiet demeanor and soft grin will always be how i remember him....... a contrast to his determination, drive and effort on the basketball court. Always pleasant, friendly, helpful and warm, a great man to have called friend.
I spent my first 4 1/2 years of grade school at Ysleta Elementary in the Lower Valley -- when we moved to Northeast El Paso in 1961, my Mom took me to register at Crosby Elementary -- the registrar pointed to a student Hall Monitor there in the office and said, "He's in the 5th grade, just go with him." -- and when he walked me to my class, I remember thinking:"WOW, they grow 5th graders TALL out here in Northeast!!" -- and for the next 58 years, he was my friend, my financial advisor, and a trusted family member who attended Vanstory family reunions and events. After our Freshman year at UTEP, I had parlayed two summers worth of El Paso Natural Gas Company "employee's kid's summer job" money into buying and fixing-up a 9-year-old '60 Corvette (detachable hardtop/convertible) -- Jack, of course, thought it only appropriate that we "christen" the car -- after all, it was still the Summer of Love in 1969, so we set out west to find America -- we were Tod & Buz from Route 66 and Captain America & Billy from Easy Rider, all rolled into one (sort of ;) -- I said at our 50th reunion last October that each of us individually was the sum of all those around us, and Jack was a huge chunk of that -- he was tall in many, many ways -- he was our gentle giant who was as cool as the flip side of the pillow -- all of our lives are so much better and richer because he was in them...
PS: Tisha did a MAGNIFICENT job of representing our class at the funeral, speaking for all of us with poise and grace...
Charlie, that was beautiful! I could easily over-share about Jack, but won't in this forum. He and I have known each other before and will meet again. I feel his spirit daily. Love, Susan
With the recent passing on July 9, 2019 of one of my best friends, Jack Bracy, it is fitting to share with all of you several “Jack” remembrances:
I met Jack in the 8th Grade at Irvin High School, El Paso, Texas in 1963. Or, as he always reminded me, we met in the 7th Grade when his Crosby Cougars hosted our Dowell Owls!
From 1963 until his passing Jack remained a good and faithful friend, and I will always consider him to be one of my best friends.
Jack, however, was a “BEST” friend to all who knew him.
After college, Jack and I shared a house on La Luz Street in El Paso. While there, Jack encouraged me to learn to play the banjo. While I succeeded, Jack developed a nervous tick and his hearing never fully recovered! The same thing happened when I took up pedal steel guitar. Jack was an encourager and a patient house mate!
As my friend, he helped me to get a job at The Iron Tender Restaurant and remained my friend even after I was fired!
He served as a groomsman at my wedding in 1976.
He married Sally Ward in 1983, and they shared and built a wonderful life in El Paso. From Jack's accounts, their annual trips to Carmel, California provided a picturesque setting for some of their most wonderful times together.
Sally and Jack in recent years made the journey to my home in Magnolia, Texas to help celebrate my 65th Birthday. While there they coined the name “The Magnolia Resort” for my home.
My remembrances of Jack transcend our well-lived lives. One of our favorite songs, “New Cut Road”, which was written by Guy Clark and performed by Bobby Bare, contains the line: “Now Coalman's Momma said, "Let the boy stay, 'Cause he's raised up solid, he can find his own way.”
Jack Bracy was a "SOLID" man. I always admired his steadfast manner and his solid bearing and demeanor.
I'm also grateful that he and Sally would call me three or four times a week during the darkest days of my life while in the middle of my divorce.
When visiting Jack for the last time, in a moment of reverie, I "told" him that I would miss him, and I told him how much his friendship had meant to me.
I can hear his reply--"Get on with your life, Alan, live it to the fullest, for life is fleeting!"
Thanks, Jack, for your thoughtfulness, your humor, your influence, and the example that you set.
John Bokich
Can't believe that Jack is gone. He looked great at the Reunion...much healthier than most of us. His quiet demeanor and soft grin will always be how i remember him....... a contrast to his determination, drive and effort on the basketball court. Always pleasant, friendly, helpful and warm, a great man to have called friend.
Charles Vanstory
I spent my first 4 1/2 years of grade school at Ysleta Elementary in the Lower Valley -- when we moved to Northeast El Paso in 1961, my Mom took me to register at Crosby Elementary -- the registrar pointed to a student Hall Monitor there in the office and said, "He's in the 5th grade, just go with him." -- and when he walked me to my class, I remember thinking: "WOW, they grow 5th graders TALL out here in Northeast!!" -- and for the next 58 years, he was my friend, my financial advisor, and a trusted family member who attended Vanstory family reunions and events. After our Freshman year at UTEP, I had parlayed two summers worth of El Paso Natural Gas Company "employee's kid's summer job" money into buying and fixing-up a 9-year-old '60 Corvette (detachable hardtop/convertible) -- Jack, of course, thought it only appropriate that we "christen" the car -- after all, it was still the Summer of Love in 1969, so we set out west to find America -- we were Tod & Buz from Route 66 and Captain America & Billy from Easy Rider, all rolled into one (sort of ;) -- I said at our 50th reunion last October that each of us individually was the sum of all those around us, and Jack was a huge chunk of that -- he was tall in many, many ways -- he was our gentle giant who was as cool as the flip side of the pillow -- all of our lives are so much better and richer because he was in them...
PS: Tisha did a MAGNIFICENT job of representing our class at the funeral, speaking for all of us with poise and grace...
Susan Haug (Ward)
Charlie, that was beautiful! I could easily over-share about Jack, but won't in this forum. He and I have known each other before and will meet again. I feel his spirit daily. Love, Susan
Alan Van Velkinburgh
THANK YOU, JACK BRACY!
With the recent passing on July 9, 2019 of one of my best friends, Jack Bracy, it is fitting to share with all of you several “Jack” remembrances:
I met Jack in the 8th Grade at Irvin High School, El Paso, Texas in 1963. Or, as he always reminded me, we met in the 7th Grade when his Crosby Cougars hosted our Dowell Owls!
From 1963 until his passing Jack remained a good and faithful friend, and I will always consider him to be one of my best friends.
Jack, however, was a “BEST” friend to all who knew him.
After college, Jack and I shared a house on La Luz Street in El Paso. While there, Jack encouraged me to learn to play the banjo. While I succeeded, Jack developed a nervous tick and his hearing never fully recovered! The same thing happened when I took up pedal steel guitar. Jack was an encourager and a patient house mate!
As my friend, he helped me to get a job at The Iron Tender Restaurant and remained my friend even after I was fired!
He served as a groomsman at my wedding in 1976.
He married Sally Ward in 1983, and they shared and built a wonderful life in El Paso. From Jack's accounts, their annual trips to Carmel, California provided a picturesque setting for some of their most wonderful times together.
Sally and Jack in recent years made the journey to my home in Magnolia, Texas to help celebrate my 65th Birthday. While there they coined the name “The Magnolia Resort” for my home.
My remembrances of Jack transcend our well-lived lives. One of our favorite songs, “New Cut Road”, which was written by Guy Clark and performed by Bobby Bare, contains the line: “Now Coalman's Momma said, "Let the boy stay, 'Cause he's raised up solid, he can find his own way.”
Jack Bracy was a "SOLID" man. I always admired his steadfast manner and his solid bearing and demeanor.
I'm also grateful that he and Sally would call me three or four times a week during the darkest days of my life while in the middle of my divorce.
When visiting Jack for the last time, in a moment of reverie, I "told" him that I would miss him, and I told him how much his friendship had meant to me.
I can hear his reply--"Get on with your life, Alan, live it to the fullest, for life is fleeting!"
Thanks, Jack, for your thoughtfulness, your humor, your influence, and the example that you set.
Alan Van Velkinburgh
Cypress, Texas