John McKelvey Bramblett, age 84, of Huntsville, Ala., passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, December 16, 2022.
John was born on November 20, 1938, the only son to Mary Florence and William Percy Bramblett of Wartrace, Tennessee. John grew up in Wartrace and along with many childhood friends and cousins enjoyed every aspect that small rural town had to offer. From taking his dad meals on the train, to his job as a paper boy, to playing sports - football his favorite, John loved and lived his childhood to the fullest.
He was a graduate of Shelbyville Central High School in 1957 where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Linda Fay Williamson, in 1961. The two would be married for 28 years and have two adoring daughters, EnaShea Bramblett Kohler and Alexandra Elisabeth Bramblett Burlason. There was never a question in anyone’s mind the love John had for his girls. John went on to pursue his secondary education at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and ultimately earned his Master’s, as well as an Education Specialist Degree, Ed.S.
Over the course of his life, John would enlist in the United States Army and be stationed in various places around the world. Following his career in the Army, John came back to the middle Tennessee/northern Alabama area to continue his career as a private citizen with the US Army Missile and Munitions Center and School, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and Tec-Masters, from which he retired in 2006. During this time, he was an active member of The Lions Club - serving as District Governor for the Middle Tennessee Region.
In 2004, he married his true love, Linda Allen, in Puerto Rico. Their lives together were full of love of family, nature, and travel - travel that would include many trips back to Puerto Rico to celebrate their anniversary, annual fall trips to New England to enjoy and admire the beautiful fall colors and Amish culture, along with a crazy obsession with all things Disney - including becoming season pass holders and proudly displaying that classification on every vehicle!
John’s love of football and Vanderbilt meant many trips to Nashville as a season ticket holder watching his adopted Commodores play.
An avid reader, lover of nature - especially birds and deer - many days were spent on his back porch, sipping coffee and reading a book, not to mention feeding all those birds and trying to devise ways to keep those pesky squirrels at bay.
When not on his back porch, John could be found in his garage, caring for his beloved 1969 Austin Healey Sprite or watching one of his favorite characters on the big screen - James Bond! Or you could find him on the road between Huntsville and Nashville to visit his daughters and grandchildren, Isabelle, Max, Gus and Liam.
John’s strength, compassion, bright blue eyes and infectious smile were known and admired by all who knew him. He was an incredible gentleman in every sense of the word. His friends and family always knew they were protected and supported. His patience, resilience and thoughtful nature were a true reflection of his Christian faith.
John was preceded in death by his dad, William Percy Bramblett, his mom, Mary Florence Bramblett Stephens, his stepdad, Horace Virgil Stephens, Jr. and sister, Anne Bramblett Calatrello King. He is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, EnaShea (Chris) and Alexandra (Bruce); and grandchildren, Isabelle, Max, Gus and Liam; and many loving extended family members.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 noon Thursday, December 22 at Chase Park Church of Christ, 1640 Winchester Road, NE, Huntsville, AL 35811, with the funeral immediately following at the church. Burial will be in Huntsville Memory Gardens, 6810 University Drive, NE, Huntsville, AL 35811 following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in John’s memory to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, or the National Wildlife Federation.
