J.W. "Jay" Bratton, age 83 of Justin, former long-time resident of Flower Mound, Texas passed away Thursday, May 5, 2005 at the Medical Center of Lewisville.

Jay was born April 7, 1922 in Fate, Texas to Vernie and Bertha Bost Bratton. He married Geneva Fuqua, October 17, 1948 and served in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII. In 1961 he established Barker and Bratton Steel Company and ran it until 1991 when his sons took over and it became Bratton Steel. Jay continued to work at the company until he entered the hospital, Tuesday, April 12, 2005. He was a member of the Oak Cliff Wesley Methodist Church from 1948 until 1971 and served on many committees. Jay was a member of the Masonic Lodge #1314 in Oak Cliff and a 32nd Degree Shriner. He and his wife, Geneva moved to Flower Mound in 1971 and became members of First United Methodist in Lewisville, where he worked actively serving on many committees. They moved in 1992 to Geneva's family farm in Justin.

He is survived by his wife, Geneva; sons, Jerry Bratton and his wife, Quay of Coppell and David Bratton and his wife, Sue of Grapevine; Sisters, Carey Nell Peoples and Edna Marie Averre of Sachse; Brothers, Orville Bratton of Abilene and Roy Manson Bratton of Garland; grandchildren, Lauren, Andy and Kiley Bratton. He is also survived by extended family and a host of friends. Jay was preceded in death by an infant son, Teddy Ray Bratton in 1951 and a brother Wendell Bratton in 1996.

A funeral service will be held, 10:30 A.M., Monday, May 9, 2005 at First Methodist Church in Lewisville. A graveside service will follow at Laureland Cemetery in Dallas at 2:00 P.M.. Reverend Russell Floyd and Reverend Paul Sackett will officiate the service. The family will receive friends, 7-9:00 P.M., Sunday, May 8, 2005 at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home in Lewisville. In lieu of flower the family request donations be made to the permanent endowment at First United Methodist Church at 907 West Main Street, Lewisville, Texas 75067 or the charity of donors choice.