John L. Bratton, age 65 of East Grand Forks, MN passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND with his family by his side.

John Lawrence Bratton was born on November 9, 1958 in Red Lake Falls, MN the son of James Clayton and Marie Jean (Ovsak) Bratton.  John attended school in Grand Forks, ND and graduated from Central High School with the Class of 1977.  John moved briefly to California then to Minneapolis, MN to finally come to Grand Forks, ND to meet his future wife Sonia Ramirez.  They were married on August 23, 1997.  Together they moved to East Grand Forks, MN and had 3 beautiful children Athena Cassidy, Edjar John and Major Christopher James.  John worked at the University of North Dakota for over 25 years as a Building Technician before retiring in November of 2023.  He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.  He enjoyed cooking for his wife, children and grandchildren.  If John wasn't cooking he was enjoying his music from his large collection.  He was a huge vinyl record collector.  Sonia would tease him as to being a walking encyclopedia of music.  He was able to name the song and artist by listening to a few words.   He was a great conversationalist and was well versed on many subjects and made friends easily.  John had tremendous faith and was a caretaker of the "Word Of God".  If John found any Bibles, he would bring them home and rebind them and fix them to regift them to someone else.

Loving family members of John include his wife, Sonia Bratton of East Grand Forks, MN; Athena Cassidy (Brett) Bratton, Edgar John Bratton, and Major Christopher James (Nadine) Bratton all of East Grand Forks, MN; 3 grandchildren, Milo Elijah Fickert, Aries Fickert and Saint Michael Bratton; siblings, Charlotte Hanson of Alexandria, MN, Jim Bratton of Grand Forks, ND and Judith "Margo" (Donald Bailey) Bratton of Port Angelas, WA. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Marie Bratton; siblings, Ruth Strack, Dayton Bratton, Dolores Smith, Cheryl Bratton and Byron Hanson and several aunts, uncles and brothers-in-law.

Blessed be the Memory of John L. Bratton

Funeral Service: 10:30 AM on Monday, February 12th, 2024 at Dahl Funeral Home, 2029 Central Ave. NW, East Grand Forks, MN.

Visitation: 1 Hour Prior Funeral Service on Monday in Dahl Funeral Home.

Interment: St. Lawrence Cemetery ~ Mentor, MN.