John F. Bragg

John F. Bragg, 92, died early Wednesday morning, December 23, 2020, in Westminster Village, Muncie. He was born in Upland on March 13, 1928, the son of the late Atwood and Kathryn (Bittner) Bragg Scott. On August 5, 1950, John and Marilyn (Lees) were married. John graduated from Southside High School, Fort Wayne, in 1946 and then served in the United States Navy as a Morse Code specialist on the USS Macomb. He could still speak in "dits and dots". He earned education degrees from Taylor University and Ball State University. John played basketball at Taylor from 1948-1952 helping to record some of Taylor's winningest seasons. The Indiana Pro Basketball League was formed in the 1950s and John played professionally for the "Anderson No. 1 Beverage" team for several years. John taught sixth grade at Matthews Elementary from 1952-1954 where he enjoyed playing ball with the students. One of the sixth grade classes became known as the Jefferson Township "50 of 60" graduates and became cherished and lifelong friends. From 1954-1965, John taught at Jefferson High School and coached basketball, track, and baseball creating many special and lasting memories of his students and players. John helped to initiate the summer baseball league in Upland for which he coached, scheduled games and drove the bus for high schoolers. When consolidation created Eastbrook in 1965, John was the school's first Athletic Director. Eastbrook students often saw Mr. Bragg in the gym at lunch and were challenged to a free throw contest. He later served as high school assistant principal, business manager and interim superintendent retiring in 1994. John was a member of the Van Buren American Legion and served on the Upland Town Council from the early 1970s until 1991. John was awarded the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash and inducted into the Grant County Sports Hall of Fame. A sports enthusiast, John loved to play golf. He spent many winters golfing with friends in Florida. He enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in their athletic endeavors. An avid and skilled vegetable gardener, John was especially proud of his tomato harvest. Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Marilyn of Muncie; children: Susan (Bruce) Ballinger, Bluffton; Nancy Bragg, Noblesville; Bob (Kristin) Bragg, Noblesville; Janna (Sam) Warren, Dayton, Ohio; and Mike (Angie) Bragg, Muncie; a brother: Donald Bragg, Fort Wayne; 10 grandchildren: Lindsay (Nate) Gibson; Ben Ballinger; Kelsay (Willie) Little; Tessa Bragg; Jacob Bragg; Nicholas Bragg; Lily Warren; Anna Bragg; Clay Bragg and Lucas Bragg; and four great grandchildren: Noah Cordero; Amaelia Cordero; Xavier Little; and Alayna Little. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Albert B. Bragg and Richard Bragg; and two sisters-in-law: Shirley and Trudy Bragg. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Jones-Smith Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home in Upland. Services for John will be private. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Jefferson Cemetery, Upland. Memorial contributions may be made to the John F. Bragg '52 Scholarship Fund at Taylor University.