Gordon Brackins

Mr. Gordon Alva Brackins, age 87 of the Alaqua Community of DeFuniak Springs passed away Friday, October 17, 2008 in Healthmark Regional Medical Center. He was born January 1, 1921 in DeFuniak Springs the son of Curry and Julia Elizabeth Chesser Brackins. He attended local schools and was a graduate of Walton Senior High School’s Class of 1942. Gordon was a member of the Walton Braves football squad and was nicknamed Tarzan by Howard Cawthon, a name that stuck for the rest of his life as nicknames usually do. After high school he served some four years with the United States Navy returning to DeFuniak Springs at the end of his enlistment. He worked for a time at Fisher’s Hardware and later at Gulf Power Company. He married his sweethart, Corene Adams in 1947, a marriage that spanned some sixty years. After working locally Gordon was then employed by the Florida Highway Patrol (State Troopers) where he worked for almost thirty four years mostly in the Orlando area until his retirment as a Lieutenant in 1982. In 1989 he and Corene came home and built their dream home in Alaqua. He was a member of Alaqua United Methodist Church where he served on the board. Gordon was an avid outdoorsman and loved fishing. According to his pastor, Reverend Henry Martin, the only bad thing he could say about Gordon was he was a Florida Gator’s fan.

Among those surviving Gordon Brackins are his wife Corene Adams Brackins. His sons, Charles Brackins and wife Sheri of Los Angeles and Cliff Brackins of Big Fork, Montana. His sisters-in-law, Willie B. Bell of Tallahassee; Vera O’Brien and husband Bernard of Pensacola and Dorothy Mooney of DeFuniak Springs. His brothers-in-law, Dewitt Adams and wife Corene and John L. Adams of Lubbock, Texas.

In leiu of flowers memorials may be made in Gordon Brackin’s memory to Alaqua United Methodist Church, 104 Ruth Dorriety Road, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435.
A time of visitation will be Monday, October 20, 2008 from 6 until 8 P.M. in Jerry Evans Chapel. Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. at Alaqua United Methodist Church with Reverends Henry Martin and Jesse Evans officiating. Burial will follow in Alaqua Cemetery.