June Lee Bratcher

June Narhi Bratcher was born April 11, 1932 in Dorset, Ohio to Lauri John and Clara Belle Narhi. She grew up on the farm but her earliest ambition was to get an education and get off the farm. While in nursing school, she met her husband, Everett, on a blind date. He was in medical school at the time. After they were married, Everett joined the air force for two years where June got her pilot’s license and was the first woman to solo at Randolph A.F.B. Aeroclub. They permanently moved to San Antonio after Everett finished his residency at Ohio State University.

June was very involved with singing in a barbershop chorus for 20 years. She was also active in politics and had the June Bratcher Award named in her honor for political trailblazing in medical legislation.

In 1980, June founded Daisy Charters and Shuttles and grew the company to be one of the premier charter bus companies in San Antonio. After 25 years in the travel industry, she wrote a book about her experiences titled You Are Driving Me Crazy.

She was a three-time recipient of the Military Traffic Management Award given by the Department of Defense for superior service to the military. In 2006, she was the NAWBO (National Organization of Women Business Owners) Woman Business Owner of the year. In 2008, Enterprising Women Magazine named June among the Top 100 Enterprising Women in America.

Those are just a few of her accolades, but they pale in comparison to the commitment June had to help others. She generously donated buses every year to get cancer kids to camp. When she chaired the SA Go Red for Women campaign (to end heart disease and strokes in women), her massive effort set a new record raising exceedingly more than all previous years.

June’s love and generosity to her family will be one of her greatest legacies. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were impacted by notes and phone calls, hugs and bubble gum money, prom dresses and pocket cash for vacations, Spurs tickets, cooking lessons, beach trips, epic Christmas parties, and a 50th anniversary family cruise. She prioritized family and loved deeply.

June was preceded in death by her husband (Everett), her parents and 2 sisters (Joyce and Janice). She is survived by her four children: Beth (Ken), Kim, Daniel, and David (Monica), seven grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org