UTICA, Ky. — Jared Dale Bratcher, 51, of Utica, passed away on July 24, 2024, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. He was born in Ohio County, Kentucky, on Oct. 31, 1972, to the late Larry Dale and Charlotte Austin Bratcher.
Jared was a 1990 Ohio County High School graduate. He was a member of Liberty Methodist Church where he was baptized on March 30, 1980.
For 16 years, Jared worked for Owensboro Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau as a sports marketing director. He was a founding member of TEAMKY, an organization that promotes all sports throughout Kentucky. Jared was also responsible for helping Owensboro be recognized in the 2017 edition of Sports Illustrated as one of the best sports cities in Kentucky.
Some of Jared’s many accomplishments occurred during his time as the sports marketing director. He brought the first NSA World Series 2003 to Owensboro and continued every year to promote tourism. Jared was inducted into the NSA/BPA Hall of Fame in 2012. He was instrumental in the success of sports tourism, developing and promoting new events and festivals, and was an exceptional ambassador for Owensboro. He went the extra mile and gave from his heart.
Jared was affectionately known as the “chief agitator,” always the life of the party with his sharp wit and playful banter. A devoted sports enthusiast, he was a loyal supporter of the Cincinnati Reds and UK Basketball teams, celebrating every victory and lamenting every defeat with equal fervor.
Jared’s passions extended beyond the sports arena. He found immense joy in fishing, cooking, and exploring new places, but he always loved coming home to his “girls,” Nellie and Izzy. Jared loved animals more than most people. Whether casting a line, preparing a culinary delight, or setting out on an adventure, Jared embraced each moment with enthusiasm and a zest for life. A lover of card games, he enjoyed countless hours at the table, where his competitive nature and sense of humor shone brightly.
To know Jared was to love him and he was a best friend to anyone he knew.
Along with his parents, Jared was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Gary Wayne Hample.
Jared leaves behind his wife, of 22 years, Ellen Hample Bratcher; his children, Kaitlyn Hope (Lucan) Nealy and Heath Allen (Ambrya) Parton; grandchildren, Luke Gregory Dale Nealy, Apollo Parton, and Ares Parton; siblings, Jason Lee (Jennifer) Bratcher, Jeremy Chad (Shae) Bratcher, and Julie (Patrick) Francis; and nieces and nephews, Blake Bratcher, Kyle Bratcher, McKayla Bratcher, Hannah Phillips, Charlotte “Charlee” Francis, and Aubree Lynn Hample.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, at Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory and again at Liberty Methodist Church, in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 28. Services will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 28, at Liberty Methodist Church.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of charitable donations made payable to Nurture to Nature Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, P.O. Box 23, Philpot, KY 42366. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory is both honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Jared Dale Bratcher.
Leave your messages of condolence for the family of Mr. Bratcher and sign his virtual guestbook at www.haleymcginnis.com.