David "Bucky" Ables Bramlett

David “Bucky” Ables Bramlett passed away on March 6, 2024 at the age of 75. He emerged on this earth on the 24th of May 1948 in Cartersville, GA. Other than sleeping in a Buddhist graveyard for 8 months in Vietnam and a brief stint in New York City, he was a lifelong resident of Marietta, GA.

Bucky was the youngest of five children born to Truman and Lois Bramlett. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Phillip and Kertis, and sisters Joy and Jannah. As a youth, he and his friends set Bells Ferry Road on fire–the road itself, a feat never repeated by modern man. After graduating from Sprayberry High School in 1966 he attended Marietta-Cobb Area Vocational-Technical School where he received a diploma in Technical Design and Drafting. As the swinging 60s came to a close, he did what all the hip kids were doing and signed up for a tour of beautiful Vietnam and ended up staying for a while. Just before he left for basic training, he was having dinner in a crowded Russo’s Pizza (THE hangout after the Sprayberry games) and looked to his left: there was the raven-haired beauty who would one day become his wife. He complained loudly that his food hadn’t come and declared he was going to eat her arm. She was there with another beau but later was hanging out with his sister Jannah. At that fateful meeting she saw a photo of him on the mantle and said, “That’s the boy who tried to eat my arm!”. So Jannah played matchmaker. They wrote to each other, and the rest is history.

Bucky was immensely proud of his service to his country in the Army. He served in the 101st Airborne division. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Campaign medal, two overseas bars, A Bronze Star, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Vietnam Services Medal, and Expert Level with the rifle. After his tours of duty, he was stationed in New York City at the Whitehall Street induction center made famous by Arlo Guthrie in “Alice’s Restaurant”. He and his friends caused no small amount of consternation to their superiors by using the mimeograph machine to print peace signs and throw them down on the protests surging many floors below them. He could always keep you guessing.

On his return to Georgia he married Linda (the aforementioned raven-haired beauty), raced dune buggies, and continued his love for UGA football. Weekends, and perhaps some weekdays, would find him fishing with his buddies. He was popular with his fishing buddies, but the minds of the fish are unknowable. He had a love for cars that rivaled his love for a good cold beer on a Saturday afternoon. He frequented car shows, perfecting his photography skills on their chrome curves and bringing home hours of very loud footage of drag races from the Hot Rod Reunions that he never missed.

In July of 1976 he became a father when his daughter, Sara, was born. Apocryphally, he wanted to name her Dylan, after Bob Dylan, but settled on Sara after the Hall and Oates song “Sara Smile”. Some of Sara’s earliest memories include being awoken by him blasting The Allman Brothers Live at the Fillmore East on vinyl (“Whipping Post” 23 minute version, naturally) late at night and laying on the floor doing air guitar. Later, they would bond over the sheer power and beauty of Tom Petty and Prince wailing on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. His love language was burning CDs for her of Music She Should Know and looking the other way when

she “borrowed” his first pressing albums. His teachings were the basis of her vast musical loves she has today. He was not only an ardent fan of rock and roll: he could do a mean lip synch to “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” . Versatility was this man’s other middle name.

Probably the greatest day, though, was the birth of his granddaughter, Rhiannon. She was the shining jewel of his life and she loved her “Pa” tremendously. In her early years they spent a lot of time together on his recliner watching Shaun the Sheep and dozing in the sun. He taught her Georgia Football chants and how to eat ribs. And could that man grill some ribs!

“Every man dies, but not every man truly lives” is not just a line in Braveheart, but a fitting epitaph for the man of many hobbies (did I mention he was on a dart league?) and adventures. May his eternity be filled with loud cars, vinyl records, and all you can eat ribs. And perhaps a frosty cold one as he hangs out with his friends and loved ones who were waiting to greet him with open arms.

Bucky is survived by his devoted wife, Linda Bramlett and daughter Sara Phoenix who is, in this obituary writer’s opinion, also an amazing writer, as well as his beloved granddaughter Rhiannon Register. He also leaves behind many family members including nieces and nephews and about a million friends because this man never met a stranger.