Victor Pershing Bracken
Victor Pershing Bracken, 94, of Olathe, KS, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family Friday, November 30, 2012. Predeceased by his parents, Horace and Marie Bracken; sister, Lorene Bracken; brother, Elmer (June) Bracken; sister-in-law, Sandy Jameson; brother- in-law, Meynard (Mildred) Jameson; sister-in-law, Grace (Emmett) Cross; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Bracken. Survived by his wife of 67 years, Marian; his brother, Harold Bracken; his brother-in- law, Donald Jameson; his daughters, Lorene (Ray) Boyd of Olathe, KS, & Mary Ann Ballard of River Rouge, LA; 4 grandchildren, Alean (Joseph) Hernandez, James Boyd, Matthew Ballard & Daniel Ballard; 1 great-grandson, Joseph Hernandez; and many nieces & nephews.
Born on November 11, 1918, in Johnstown, PA, as the country celebrated the ending of World War I. 1942 - BS w/Honors Mechanical Engineering - University of Pittsburgh. 1942 - 1961- Employed by EXXON at 3 refineries (Louisiana and New Jersey) and trained engineers at the ESSO refinery in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1953. 1961 - 1979 - At ARAMCO in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, was involved with engineering design / inspection of existing/new refinery units. In 1964, drove one of four Landrovers through the Rub' al Khali, the Empty Quarter of the Saudi Arabian Desert, and in 1969, drove Landrover from London, England, to Saudi Arabia. Enjoyed extensive international travel.
While living in Florida (1979 - 2011) Victor and Marian enjoyed RV travel in America and classical music performances, and through Presbyterian Church at Palm Harbor volunteering included driving a church bus, delivering Meals on Wheels meals, serving meals in a community soup kitchen and singing in choirs.
At 90, Victor was the oldest member of The Clearwater Chorus, an internationally renowned, 100 member chorus.
Victor's memorial service will be celebrated at 3 p.m., Friday, December 28, at Grace United Methodist Church, 11485 South Ridgeview Rd., Olathe, KS 66061. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Good Samaritan Society - Olathe, 20705 West 151st St., Olathe, KS 66061.
Published in Kansas City Star on December 8, 2012