Ronald "Ron" Bratton Obituary
Mr. Ronald “Ron” Solicitor Bratton, 71, a resident of Thomasville, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, March 29, 2024, at his home. He was born on July 3, 1952, in Thomasville to Frank Solicitor Bratton and Annie Willie Dixon Bratton.
Ron graduated from Thomasville Senior High School in 1971 and went on to serve his country in the United States Army Reserve. As a boy, Ron loved hearing his two cousins describe their jobs in law enforcement. His cousin on his mother’s side was a police officer in Philadelphia while another cousin on his father’s side was an officer in South Carolina. So as a child Ron was drawn to the excitement and even the danger of being a police officer, ultimately, he joined the Thomasville Police Department on February 25, 1974, to help people.
Ron’s training was inclusive in the study of police science at Davidson County Community College and courses in supervision, SWAT training, advanced criminal investigation, stress, and domestic violence. Ron completed the police executive development program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed Basic Law Enforcement Training at Davidson County Community College. He graduated from Guilford College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Administrative Science.
Ron was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church in Thomasville where he served as Chairperson of the Trustee Ministry, driver for the Senior Ministry and as a Boy Scout Leader of Troop 103.
Ron was truly a pillar in the Thomasville community serving in several distinct roles throughout his life. He was elected to serve on First Citizens Bank’s local board of directors in 1992. He served on the Disaster Committee for the Red Cross. He was a member of the Thomasville Lions Club, the North Carolina Law Enforcement Association, and the North State Law Enforcement Association. Ron also served on the Helen K. Kanoy Scholarship Committee throughout its existence.
Ron retired in 2009 as the Police Chief of Thomasville Police Department after 35 years of service. After retirement, Ron went on to serve on the Thomasville City Council from 2009 until his death. Ron received the MLK Community Service Award in 2008. He has also received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Governor Beverly Perdue in 2009.
Ron loved life, his family, especially his grandchildren, his church and community. Ron was a selfless man who would do whatever he could for anybody. He had a great interest in traveling, watching westerns, the Young and the Restless and movies. Outside of telling jokes he would have in-depth discussions with all who would listen about history and politics. Ron was the celebrity of the family as he was featured on the television shows Top Cops and the Oprah Winfrey Show for doing the job he so loved. Ron’s dedication to his family, church and community will leave a significant impact on all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded death by his father, Frank Solicitor Bratton, brothers, Mitchell Jerome Bratton, and Robert Eugene Oakley.
Left to cherish his precious memory is his wife of almost 50 years, Teuresa Kincaid Bratton of the home; one son, Ronald Solicitor Bratton, Jr.; four grandchildren, Kailon Bratton, Rihanna Bratton, Izaiah Bratton and Irie Francis; his mother Annie Willie Bratton of Thomasville, NC; siblings, Tyress Bratton (Kim), Frank Bratton Jr. of Thomasville, NC; Angela Bratton of High Point, NC and Audrey Thompson of Winston Salem, NC; mother in law Shirley Kincaid and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.