Richard Dale Bratton

          Richard Dale Bratton, 72, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 28, 2022 at his home.  Richard was born to Charles and Mary on July 20, 1950 in Tyrone, PA.  He came to Ventura County when he was young, ultimately settling in Camarillo where he lived the rest of his life. 

          Richard went to Adolfo Camarillo High and then joined the U.S. Marine  Corps.  He served in the Vietnam War and was injured his last night in Vietnam and elected to return home without waiting for his Purple Heart to be awarded.  It took a diligent Member of Congress to finally get Richard his Purple Heart awarded to him on 03-27-2006 which was followed later by a US Flag in a case with a certificate stating that it was flown over the Capitol in his honor on 09-18-2006.  He was so proud to be a Marine.  He enjoyed building engines and racing his muscle cars, camping, bass fishing in his bass boat with his boys in California and Arizona, playing poker with friends in person and online and deer hunting with friends in New Mexico. 

          Richard worked for the County of Ventura and at Pt. Mugu doing various jobs in the Public Works Department.  He was able to happily retire in 2012 from his last job as the plumber for Rio School District.  He met his wife, Karen (McEwan) Bratton when he came back from Vietnam and they were together for 51 years. 

         He has now been reunited with their oldest son, Joshua Kyle Aaron Bratton, who passed away on 12-07-2020.  In addition to his wife, Karen, he is survived by their sons, Jared Kane Austin Bratton and Justin Korey Allen Bratton, his granddaughter, Jade Ivey Shevelle Bratton of Manteca, CA, sister and brother-in-law, Cathy and Denis Dressler of Ventura, CA, sister-in-law, Kathi McEwan of Paso Robles, CA, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joe and Francine McEwan of Sparks, NV, nephew, Joe McEwan Jr. of Sparks, NV, nieces Shannon Walton of Ventura, CA and Shelly Castro of Camarillo, CA.

          A Military Funeral Honors service will be held outdoors for Richard at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park on Friday, November 25, 2022 at 1:00 pm where he will be laid to rest next to his son, Joshua.