Cary Vernon Bracken, 68, of Hayesville, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, N.C. He was a native and lifelong resident of Clay County and the son of the late Zed and Barbara Bracken.
He was a member of the Living Church of God.
Baseball was his life, which started in the 70's as a pitcher for Hayesville High School, then on to Kansas City to play semi-pro baseball for the Coleman Company. He later joined the U.S. Army, playing baseball, from January 1977 to May 1978.
He found his niche in pest control and later, he and his wife, Becky, started their own business — Alpine Exterminating Co., Hiawassee, Ga. — all the while teaching his boys and nephew, Eric Rivera, to be 'baseball pitchers/players' and coaching many players for Hayesville High School.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by sisters, Patti Beth, Pamela Ann and Cathy Bracken Johnson.
He is survived by his three sons, Ben, Brett and Casey Bracken, of Hayesville; brothers, Ron and wife, Cheryl, of Martinez, Ga.; Rick and wife, Amy; John and wife, Tammy, all of Hayesville; one sister, Jeanie Bracken Madison and husband, Larry, of Blairsville, Ga. and several nieces and nephews.
A private service for family and brethren will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 21 at the Clay County Rec Gym, 333 Ball Park Dr., Hayesville with Pastor Martin Fannin officiating. The family will receive friends and acquaintances from 1-3 p.m.
Memorials may be sent to the Bracken Family, PO Box 1520, Hayesville, N.C. 28904.