Jack Richards Bratlie had a good life. He was born in Portland, Oregon, to John and Winifred Bratlie on Feb. 26, 1924 and he passed away peacefully Feb. 11, 2022, just shy of his 98th birthday. He was raised in Ridgefield. The Bratlie Bros Mill was co-owned by his father, John Bratlie. The Mill provided employment for many residents of Ridgefield and provided lumber for the war during WWII.
He served in WWII as a navigator on a B-17. He survived a crash landing in occupied Hungary and later attended reunions in Kiskunmajsa with his crew and the families that took them in and fed them. One reunion in Hungary occurred in 1986 during the iron curtain era.
While attending Pacific Lutheran University, he met and married the love of his life, Marion Bratlie. They were happily married for 63 years.
Jack is survived by his five children Barbara, John, Beth, Mark and Eric; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Jack was a well rounded natural athlete. Jack excelled in high school sports to the delight of his proud father. Go Spudders!
He also played basketball, baseball and football for PLU. He played quarterback in the 1947 Pear Bowl, which they won.
He taught school and coached in the Orting and Eatonville school districts. Later he became an elementary school principal in the Clover Park District. He was a crossword puzzle whiz, played a mean game of golf and made great smoked salmon. He enjoyed his morning coffee group in Parkland. Every year Jack hosted the big blowout family Christmas, which we loved.
Jack was a kind and generous man. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Memorial donations may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church at 4519 112th St. E. in Tacoma, or your favorite charity in Jack’s name. Funeral services will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church on March 4, 2022 at 1:30 p.m.
