Born to Ethel Clair and James Bracken on April 24, 1942. Mike attended Shortridge High School until he was 17 and at the age of 18 signed up with the Air Force where he later got his GED and diploma. After serving his country he applied for college and was accepted at Purdue University where he got his degree in Engineering and even did some teaching there on the side. After graduating in 1965 from Purdue he sought employment with Ford Motor Company then later with Ransburg, P.R. Mallory and finally with RS Electronics where he really enjoyed his job in helping the company be successful and later he retired as the VP of the Southeast Region. Mike was highly respected as a leader and those who worked with him knew he cared about them.
In 1984 he met his now wife Robin and having sealed their relationship with their acceptance of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they were married on April 21, 1985.
Together they celebrated their 39th Anniversary and his 82nd Birthday this past April.
Mike was a quiet man in many ways but if he had something to say he felt was important he was sure to say it and wanted the person to know he was sincere. He loved working outdoors and making things beautiful. He loved animals, reading, working puzzles, crosswords, word search and Sudoku and an occasional golf game. He loved his family, friends, Church and his Country. One of Mikes favorite verses is II Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Mike you sure have done just that and you will be deeply missed by all who knew you and we can only imagine how joyous and happy you are now with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ!
Mike leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Roberta (Robin) Simpson; children Michele Simpson and Douglas Simpson; sisters and brothers-in-law, Cathy Farris, Linda Cucci, Carla (Greg) Linamen, Charlotte Pardue, and Debbie (Jim) Randall; as well as adopted sisters Lucy Hart and Sue (Tom) LeFevre; and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents Ethel (Clair) Hatley and James Bracken; brother-in-law Euclid Odom,mother-in-law Gladys Odom, adopted sister Carol Dominianni and Carol's parents, who were like parents to Mike, Riley and Mary Shuttleworth.
A Celebration of Life for Mike will be held at Christ Community Church on June 19, 2024 at 2:00 PM, located at 1895 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven, Florida 33884. A graveside service with military honors will be held on June 20, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell, Florida
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or any veteran organization.
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