Frank L Brackin

One of 17 siblings, Frank L. Brackin was born on July 20, 1933, in Decker, Indiana, and showed his family early on that he was going to do things his way. Frank enlisted in the Army before he had a chance to graduate high school and served in the Korean War. The story goes that Frank’s father did not approve of him enlisting and Frank asked a local doctor to sign for him, telling the doctor a lie to make it happen. Frank never spoke much of his time in the service, but it was apparent to all that he was proud of his time served and he loved his country. After leaving the military, Frank worked on the railroad for a brief time and then became an ironworker, his career for more than 20 years.

Frank was a ladies’ man and was married four times (once for only a month – that one was obviously not meant to be). He loved all his wives, but the love of his life was his last wife, Bobbi. During the time Frank was working as an ironworker, he also was a bar owner with Bobbi. Together they owned seven taverns over the years. Bobbi passed away in 2006 and even though they had divorced and she had remarried, Frank was heartbroken and would tell people he was widowed.

Frank had a unique style. He loved to dress in collared shirts, with gold rings and huge eagles hanging off his neck. The bigger, the better. But if any of his girls got their ears pierced, they got the speech that started with “If God wanted holes in your ears, He would have put them there!”

Frank was a tough dad/grandpa – he passed down his strong work ethic and he expected his kids/grandkids to always do their best – but he was usually fair. If you heard him say, “You can’t tell me . . .” you knew you were about to go through rounds of trying to explain yourself or witness someone else try. He could be stubborn and hated to admit he was wrong. Everyone knew if you ended up in an argument with Frank, you were going to lose. Even if you were right, you were wrong.

Though tough, Frank was a kind and charismatic man. He was a big spender and a big tipper, and he would give anyone the shirt off his back. He loved to see the good in people, especially those others were ready to give up on, and he would always be there for them. People felt like they could believe and trust him, a quality that became part of family lore when he convinced his youngest son, Terry, that he could walk on water.

Frank was a powerful man. He had cinder blocks for fists and was able to rip thick phone books in half. He could easily crush your hand when shaking it, but never did. He protected his family and friends and taught his children to stand up for themselves. He often had to remove unruly customers from his bars, and at times he could be found pointing up at someone much taller and bigger than he. Never back down from anyone, even if you are scared, he said. Never let them know you are scared. He sure didn’t.

Frank’s favorite thing to watch on TV was “wrasslin,’ ” and he was always up for a game of cards: Texas hold ’em, Euchre, or any card game really. (Some say he cheated, but no one was able to prove it.) He was a collector of anything and everything that he thought would be worth something someday, even things most people would throw out or donate. He was unintentionally funny and would laugh at his own jokes. He would never cuss or tell a risqué joke with any kids around – he would send them out of the room first.

Frank loved his family and loved being surrounded by them. One of the highlights of his year was the annual Brackin family reunion held on the second Sunday in August in Indiana. Frank loved with all his heart but struggled the last several years with Parkinson’s disease. He had a terrible time with hallucinations and was often bothered by visions of people, bugs, and water. Frank passed away on Sunday, January 8th and he is now at rest and free of those intruders that haunted him. He was the most stubborn person around, and that is how he went out. Although he was 89 years old and lived a wonderful full life, he didn’t want to leave his family, but God was ready for him. He is a presence that will forever be embedded in the hearts of his family and friends, and he will be missed greatly.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Iva and John Brackin, 13 brothers and two sisters, and one son, Frank Brackin Jr., with his first wife, Mary.

Frank is survived by one brother, Bobby Brackin; two sons, Terry Brackin and John Brackin; five daughters, Brenda Smith, Cheryl Brackin, Donna Hamilton, Janet Ballistreri Kiefner, and Annette Ballard (Tim); two bonus sons, Clayton Thompson (Kelly) and Arin Thompson (Dianne). He had 13 grandchildren, 2 bonus grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and a lot of loved nieces and nephews.