James Terry "Jim" Bratton

June 27, 1948 – June 28, 2026

James Terry "Jim" Bratton, passed away on June 28, 2026. Born in Norman, Oklahoma, on June 27, 1948, to VC Bratton and Doris Farmer Bratton, he lived a life marked by creativity, hospitality, and genuine interest in other people.

Jim attended University High School (“Uni High”), where he excelled as a violinist, served as concertmaster, and earned a violin scholarship opportunity to Southern Methodist University. He ultimately chose to attend Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was a proud member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He later completed his degree in Speech Pathology and Journalism at the University of Oklahoma.

His professional journey reflected his broad interests and commitment to meaningful work. He began his career in historic preservation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C., before moving into executive leadership in Dallas, where he served as Executive Director of the Dallas Historic Preservation League and as the first Executive Director of The Sixth Floor JFK Exhibit. He later built a career in fundraising and nonprofit leadership, holding positions with organizations including the AIDS Committee of Toronto, Casey House, Sweetser Children’s Services, Portland Stage Company and the Shaw Festival, to name a few. Throughout his career, he used his leadership and fundraising talents to advance historic preservation, the arts, and organizations serving people in need.

Jim was a master connector. Whether you had known him for forty years or forty seconds, he had a way of making you believe your story mattered. He remembered birthdays and names almost supernaturally. He remembered spouses, children, and conversations with remarkable ease, and before long, strangers often found themselves becoming dinner guests and lifelong friends.

Family remained one of Jim's greatest joys. Whether attending his grandsons' sports games in Tulsa or making one of five trips to Kathmandu, Nepal, to spend time with his son and family, distance never diminished his commitment to family. He delighted in watching his grandchildren grow and was known for his dry sense of humor, encouragement, and steady presence.

Jim is survived by his husband, Andrew Tait, with whom he shared more than three decades of love and partnership; his children, Adrienne Barnes (David) and their children Jack and Sam of Tulsa; Jay Bratton (Amanda) and their children Anna, Justice, Liyla, Asher, and Quincy of Kathmandu, Nepal; and Damontay Gilyard (Edith), who held a special place in the family.

He is also survived by his brother, Tim Bratton (Paige); his former wife, Sally Rice (Steve); his dearly loved cousin, Jane Anne Auld (Larry); and many extended family members and cherished friends.

In remembrance of Jim, we invite those who wish to do so to donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to help advance Parkinson’s research.