Tommy Brackman

Tommy Brackman of Bedford, Texas passed away on Saturday, October 7th at the age of 76. He will forever be remembered as a deeply loving father, husband, brother, uncle, friend, neighbor, and colleague. He was universally loved by all who knew him and was as gentle and good-hearted as they come.

Tommy was born to Garner and Jeanne Brackman and grew up alongside his older brother Donny in Louisiana where they enjoyed an active (and at times, rambunctious!) boyhood. After graduating from Northeast Louisiana State College with a degree in business, he went on to serve his country with the U.S. Army in Vietnam, where he flew Huey helicopters as a proud member of the Blue Ghosts air cavalry troop. He continued serving as part of the Army Reserve and retired after 20 years of service as a major in 1994. He never lost his love of flying.

Following active service, he moved to Texas where he began his accounting career and met his wife Barbara. They raised their two daughters, Amanda and Katherine, in Houston until 2002 when they moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

His favorite hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, and woodworking. He reveled in taking walks around the neighborhood with his beloved dog, Annie, and visiting with neighbors along the way. He and Annie kept running squirrel tallies during these walks, which were reported back to his daughters regularly. He delighted in extended family gatherings in Houston, cheering on neighbors’ kids at their sporting events, hazelnut coffee, and watching for Mississippi Kites in early summertime. In fact, he delighted in most things, with the exception of inept medical billing and almost any vegetable that wasn’t a potato. His back porch was a place of respite and somewhere he enjoyed weekly phone calls and time with his loved ones. Above all, his favorite thing was his family, especially his two girls.

People and animals alike were drawn to him and the warmth and kindness he radiated. He was an exceptional listener and made all feel accepted and comforted in his presence. He carried himself with humility and a signature light-hearted sense of humor. He was quick to be generous and helpful without seeking recognition. Throughout any hardship in life, he always accepted things as they came and was truly grateful for each day and each moment. It is impossible to put into words how much love there is for Tommy and how deeply and profoundly he will be missed.

He is survived and loved by his wife, Barbara Brackman of Bedford, TX; his daughters Amanda Brackman of Washington, DC and Katherine Brackman of Dallas, TX; and his brother Donny Dennis of Atlanta, TX, along with numerous in-laws, nephews and nieces, and long-time friends.

A visitation will be held on October 18, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst, TX. His burial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on October 19, 2023 at the DFW National Cemetery in Dallas, TX. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting Disabled American Veterans ( www.dav.org ), Ducks Unlimited conservation efforts ( www.ducks.org ), or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation ( www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org ).

The Brackman family would like to thank Dr. Traci Adams and the entire care team at UT Southwestern for their phenomenal and compassionate care.