Jack E. Brackney

Jack Brackney, age 78, of Athens, passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

Jack was born on March 28, 1943 in Lima, Ohio, the son of Paul and Virginia (Cullen) Brackney.

He married Sandi Richards on August 23, 1969 at the Green Valley Methodist Church.

Mourning his passing is his wife, Sandi; daughter, Rebecca Brackney of Memphis, TN; son, Paul Brandon Brackney of Springfield, IL; two grandsons, Austin and Cameron; granddaughter, Evandra; two brothers, Paul Jerry (wife Elaine) Brackney and their three sons, Daryl, Danny, and Denny; and Ronald Brackney and his daughter, Vicki; one sister, Patricia Myers and her daughter, Brigette Fraase; and his loyal friend, Darrell Wells.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Jack graduated from Wapakoneta High School in Ohio in 1961. He graduated from Spartan School of Aeronautics and Dale Carnegie Leadership Training.

He worked for Standard Aero for 36 years and in 1998 received the FAA Maintenance Technician of the Year Award, helped maintain and inspect Bunn-o-matic aircraft, did private aviation consulting, and delivered flowers for CID Florals in Sherman.

Jack served for the US Navy from 1961 through 1965 during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

At the age of 12 he helped the Civil Defense Ground Observer Corporation in identifying Russian Aircraft.  In 1975 he had the honor of delivering a refurbished BAC 1-11 (British Aircraft Corporation) for Hilton Hotels to Germany.

He was a charter member of the Athens Lions Club, Longbridge Golf Garrett SPI Retirees Golf Club, Athens Volunteer Firemen, a Girl Scout father, member of the HICKS Fishing Club, and an avid Poker Player.

He was a private pilot and proud owner of a Cessna 150 and a Cessna 172.

Cremation rites will be accorded.

A visitation for Jack will be held on Friday, February 18, 2022 from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at Mott & Henning Funeral Home in Athens.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Mott & Henning Funeral Home with Military Honors and a Final Salute and Lion’s Club Memorial Service Rites with Final Send Off.  The memorial service will be streamed live on the Mott & Henning Funeral Home’s Facebook page.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Athens United Methodist Church, Athens Lions Club, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Mott & Henning Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.mottandhenning.com.