John Pryce Brackett

Funeral Recording - https://audio.funeralrecording.com/embed/9360d66c-d391-11ee-850b-0e93634d2851

In Loving Memory of John Pryce Brackett

John Pryce Brackett, born on August 22 1942, in Wyandotte Michigan, passed away on February 18th 2024. John is survived by his wife, Debbie; His children, Kevin (Connie), Kristen (Mark), Aaron (Heather), Ami (Jason), Melissa (Curtis), and Justin (Ashleigh); His 16 grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren; Sister, Linda Warren (Bob); Foster child, Clyde Martinez. He loved, as his own, Debbie's 7 children and 29 Grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his parents, Aloysius Clayton Brackett and Mary Lucille Brackett. As well as his beloved wife, Diana Jean Brackett, whom he shared his life and children with for 39 years. John was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and did not always express his testimony verbally, but it was expressed through the way he lived a life of service to others. 

John and Diana were high school sweethearts, attending Riverview Community High School, in Riverview MI. They graduated in 1960 and were married three years later, April 20, 1963. Shortly after they welcomed their third child, John and Diana moved from Michigan to Arizona in 1973. It was here where they adopted their fourth child, traveling to Guatemala to bring her home. They fostered children, and welcomed two more children before moving to AK in 1983. After doing construction in AZ for years, John started working in the oil fields in AK. Diana was ready to finish school and they wanted a change of scenery. Naturally, they moved to Hawaii in 1988, where Diana earned her teaching degree from BYU and John continued to commute back and forth to the slope. It’s been said that there were too many moves for John’s mother to keep up with him. She called him in despair wondering, “Where are you, Johnny?”. 

After Hawaii, the family moved to Washington. John spent many hours working in his field changing sprinklers, raising cows, and feeding his pigs truckloads of expired hostess donuts and bread. It brought him joy to be working in his yard. In fact, it seemed as though he got even more joy making his kids do the work as well. It did, however, instill a strong work ethic in all of them. Though, it wasn’t all work with him. He’d take Sunday drives with his kids, listening to a variety of music, taking in the unique scenery and adventures the different places he lived had to offer. Bringing along a picnic lunch or snacks were a must because you never knew where those dirt and gravel off-roads would take you! Shortly after they moved to Utah in 1998, John suffered a heartbreaking loss upon Diana's passing in 2002. While working at the Grand America Hotel, he met Debbie Macey, whom he married in 2003. John always wondered how he got so lucky to have had two awesome and beautiful women in his life. John felt blessed to be welcomed into Debbie’s family. Their love and acceptance was the life light he needed. For the past 20 years, he was honored to be a part of, and witness, the Macey children in marriages and welcoming new members to the family. He enjoyed their family gatherings, celebrations, and Sunday dinners together. Debbie’s love for John, as she cared for him the past few years, was truly remarkable. The Brackett family will forever be grateful. 

Being a carpenter, John's dream was to build a home of his own. He and Debbie were able to fulfill that dream and build a home for their ever-growing families to gather. To sum up John’s life in a few paragraphs, would be like comparing it to the blueprint of a house. You might be able to see the plans for a “great room”.... but you wouldn’t experience the 13 children, their spouses, 45 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren, and visiting friends that would fill it. You might see the plans for a custom play room and large open kitchen…..but you wouldn’t know the blood (literally from hitting his head so many times), sweat and tears put into envisioning and building the home of their dreams. John didn’t always have a blueprint when building and fixing homes (and classrooms) over the years. His vision and talent to create spaces for his family and friends was extraordinary. Sometimes a “visit” from Dad, or John, meant installing new flooring, laying tile, replacing windows, or building furniture. He was a meticulous carpenter and built beautiful tables for his kids and cradles for his grandkids. 

Also in life, we don’t always have a blueprint. It didn’t matter what state he lived in, what job he had, hardships he experienced, or opportunities that came his way…. he built a life of family, friendships, service to others. John's tenacity for life isn’t something that can be sketched into a plan. It’s something that embodies who you are. His family and friends had the privilege to witness this time and again in how he paved his way through life. His children were blessed to have a father who loved, adored, and took immense pride in each and every one of them. He supported them unconditionally with their choices and unique life circumstances. He was always their biggest fan.

One of the greatest gifts John brought to all those that knew him, was his sense of humor. “Old Johnny Boy” could fill a room. He’d enter with, “Heeeeeeeere’s Johnny” followed by his goofy little dance, a joke, or a hambone performance. His home was often the gathering place for friends and family. His kids’ friends loved going to “The Brackett’s” because there was always laughter, games,  and fun to be had. Though he may no longer be with us, may his life and legacy continue to be our blueprint as we build a life of service, laughter and family like he did. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 615 East 8060 South, Sandy, Utah.  A visitation will be held Friday, February, 23 2024, at church from 6:00-8:00 p.m., with a visitation prior to the service from 10:00-10:45 a.m.  Interment Lehi City Cemetery.