James “Jim” Edwin Bratt

On August 21, 2023 Jim Bratt, passed away at his home with his wife & daughter by his side.  He just celebrated his 80th birthday on August 19th.  He was born in Terre Haute, IN to Walter & Emma Jean Bratt.

He graduated from Garfield High School in 1961 and from Indiana State University with a bachelors in zoology and a minor in chemistry in 1967. He finished his masters in 1969, and later received his school administrator certificate from the University of Evansville. Jim taught science at Reitz high school for nearly 20 years and was Athletic Director, before Assistant Principal Dean and then curriculum program he retired from Reitz EVSC in 1999.  He later was Supervisor of Student Teachers for 13 years at the University of Southern Indiana. He was Past Master in the local Scottish Rite Lodge number 748 and in 1987 he received his 33rd° in the Scottish Rite. Jim learned to fly during his college years and reached the level of commercial pilot in 2014.  He was a member of Reitz R-Men, Big Blue Boosters, IN Athletic Directors, & The West Side Nut Club.  He served on the Administrative Board of Simpson United Methodist Church and taught Adult Sunday School Class for 25 yrs.  He served as Evansville District Walk to Emmaus Board Member & Weekend Lay Director.  He had a great love of gardening & loved to grow hot peppers & share his blended powder with friends.  He was a member of Vanderburgh County Master Gardeners & served as treasurer.  In 1965 he married Donna Sue Trent & they were blessed with a daughter Kelly Kristine in 1969.

He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Emma Jean, sister Alyce and a brother-in-law Rev. Paul Trent.

Survivors are his wife Donna; daughter Kelly; grandson Korbin James Server. Survivors include brother-in-law Carl D Trent (Hilda); sisters-in-law Debbie Krueger (Mel) and Patty Trent (Paul); cousin Dr. Marvin Bratt (Mary); nieces, Jeanette Trent, and Brooke Reeves; nephews Rodney Trent (Annette), Patrick Trent, Rev. Philip Trent (Heather), Darren Trent (Josmar), Sean Trent (Brecklyn) and Kyle Reeves (Amy).

Arrangements by Simple Cremation Evansville.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Simpson UMC.

Memorial Gifts may be made to the West Side Food Pantry, Simpson Church, 2201 West Illinois St. Evansville, IN, 47712.