Bratton To Be Honored as NCMC Distinguished Alum

Harry Bratton of Lee’s Summit will be honored as a Distinguished Alumus on Thursday, April 28 during NCMC’s Day of Celebration.
Bratton was born on a farm in southwest Grundy County, north of Hickory Creek. After graduating from Trenton High School, he was a mechanic at the Bock Truck and Tractor Company. Harry attended Trenton Junior College in 1951-1952 and 1954-1956. Bratton and Alice Sanders, from Mercer County, west of Harris, were married in June 1952.
The Korean “Police Action” was intense at the time and Bratton was classified as 1-A in the draft. He reported to Camp Chaffee, AR for basic training in April 1953. As a result of his college credits at TJC, he qualified to attend Leadership School at Camp Chaffee. Afterward, he was shipped overseas to Germany and worked as a mechanic. Back home in Trenton, Mrs. Bratton was promoted to registrar of TJC, working for S.M. Rissler.
Bratton was released from the Army in January 1955 and immediately enrolled back at TJC, finding himself sitting in class at TJC only nine days later. He commented that his transition from being a GI to a college student was severe and recalls being homesick for his fellow soldiers in his section. As he felt suddenly thrown into college life with multiple study assignments due on deadlines, he noted that his whole way of thinking had to be revised and study habits re-established.
“Things were coming at me fast, but this is where TJC serves best,” Bratton said. “Classes were small and instructors cared whether you understood and learned. When I graduated from TJC in 1956, there were seven of us getting diplomas.”
After TJC, Bratton transferred to the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. He then began his 33 1/2-year career as a mechanical engineer in nuclear weapons’ parts/assemblies manufacturing facility with Bendix Corporation in Kansas City (now Honeywell.F.M.& T.). He is now retired and living in Lee’s Summit.
Bratton also has graduate hours in mechanical engineering from the University of Kansas Extension program.
The Brattons were recognized as lead Gift Contributors in 2014 at the NCMC Foundation Gala. They donated $105,500 toward the restoration of Geyer Hall.
“None of our achievements would have been possible without the support and encouragement we received from TJC and the people of Trenton, Missouri,” Bratton said. “Alice and I are who we are, what we are, where we are and how we are because of the start given to us at TJC. Never underestimate Trenton and (TJC) NCMC.”
Bratton is an active NCMC Foundation Board member and has served on the Gala/Event and Scholarship committees. He attends all the foundation board meetings and most all the events held by the foundation.
He enjoys hunting, fishing, trapshooting, target shooting, genealogy, traveling, writing and machine/mechanic work.
Bratton will be honored along with Phil Hoffman, Robert Witten, Herb Webster and Jack Derry during a ceremony in the Sugg Room of the Ketcham Community Center. Persons interested in attending the ceremony can contact NCMC Director of Development Teresa Cross at 660-359-3948, ext.1403 or by e-mail at [email protected] for additional information.