Tracy Lynn Bratcher quietly passed away January 14, 2026.
Tracy was born September 28, 1963, to Shirley Boen Bratcher and John Bratcher in Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas. Shortly after graduation, and following his father’s advice to pursue a career in computers, he enlisted in the US Navy as a Data Systems Technician. After boot camp, he had orders to the USS Dutton (AGS-8), a maritime survey ship that sailed between Barbados and the west coast of Africa, mapping the sea floor. His next duty station was aboard the cruiser USS Reeves (CG-26) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. There, he met the love of his life, fellow sailor, Jane Surmi. While on Reeves, the ship participated in task force “Earnest Will” responsible for escorting oil tankers through the Straits of Hormuz. Tracy’s final duty station was aboard USS Essex (LHD-2) which operated in support of “Operation United Shield” facilitating the removal of UN personnel from Mogadishu, Somalia.
Tracy retired from the Navy with the rank of Chief Petty Officer in the spring of 1999. Following his Navy retirement, he took a position with Klinedinst Law, a San Diego commercial law firm as Chief Technical Officer.
In 2004, the couple moved to Montana, where Tracy went to work for Customs and Border Protection as a field tech officer/IT specialist for the Port of Sweet Grass. He is remembered as being an extremely professional and talented computer systems analyst/technician. He was respected for his professionalism, kindness, and for his almost encyclopedic understanding of the equipment and systems, easing the burden of those who relied on those systems to do their job. He retired from civil service as a GS13 on his birthday in 2023.
Tracy loved playing pool. He spent many hours shooting eight- and nine- ball in the local APA pool league. He was also a die-hard San Diego Padres fan. One of his happiest times was seeing his Padres in the 1998 World Series. He also enjoyed fishing, bird hunting, woodworking, and traveling. He became an ace livestock hauler and hay bale stacker for his wife as they traveled to equine events around the state.
Tracy was initiated into Delta lodge #128 AF&AM Masons 2013. He was also a member of Helen C. Roberts Chapter #71 Order of the Eastern Star, and Hassan Grotto Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm in Great Falls. Sadly, Tracy succumbed to the effects of alcoholism. He was 62 years old.
He is survived by Bow-Tie Bob, his fellow traveler and companion. His brother Randy Bratcher (Jodi) and sister Denise Bratcher Johnson (Donald). Nieces Dyann and Dayna Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Shirley and John Bratcher, nephew Danny Johnson, and his grandmother Lucy Boen.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Scottish Rite Speech and Language Center.
