OCEAN ISLE BEACH — Raymond D. “Dallas” Bracey, 92, beloved husband, daddy, granddaddy and uncle, crossed over to a much better place Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Born to children of Scottish immigrants, Sallie Belle and Wiley Clinton Bracey Sr., Dallas was the middle child of six.
Raised near Gaddy’s Mill (Rowland) on a tobacco farm, he lost his mother at the tender age of 6, and then endured the loss of the family home to fire at the age of 7. At the age of 17, Dallas enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (Air Force) during World War II to proudly serve his nation. Stationed on the Pacific Island of Tinian, he served as a tail gunner, flying 23 bombing missions on a B-29 Superfortress before returning home.
With hopes of becoming a pharmacist, he moved to Washington, D.C., to work for his cousin, Guilford “Gick” Henderson in his drug store. It was at this drug store that he met the love of his life, Helen Ruth Davis, and his life changed forever. They married on April 10, 1948. Two daughters later and career with C&P Telephone Co. of Virginia for more than 30 years. Dallas and Ruth retired to Ocean Isle Beach.
There was nothing that Dallas could not do…from sewing drapes to rebuilding an engine to building a house and pool. He could still outwork “much younger bucks” well into his 80s. He was a kind and gentle man, always willing to help someone in need.
His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we look forward to the day he will welcome us home. Dallas is survived by his wife of 70 years, Ruth; daughters, Deborah Bracey Hines of Ocean Isle Beach and Kim Bracey Dayvault (Mark) of Little River, South Carolina; two granddaughters, Jaime Atwell Cooke (Reginald) of Durham and Peyton Dayvault of Little River, South Carolina; great-grandson, London Cooke of Durham; as well as a multitude of wonderful nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, at Brunswick Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please consider a donation to one of following organizations: Lower Cape Fear Hospice, the Alzheimer’s Association or the Wounded Warrior Project.
Share online condolences with the family at Brunswick Funeral Service.
