William G. Mcbratney

Jerry McBratney passed away peacefully at his residence at Ridgewind Assisted Living in Chubbuck on March 23, 2013.

Jerry was born in Los Angeles, California to John B. McBratney and Elsie McBratney. He attended and graduated from Monrovia High School and spent two and a half years at the University of Southern California before joining the United States Army Air Force. He trained to be a pilot and flew transports from St. Louis to the East Coast. He was an instructor at Ft. Stockton and was sent overseas to fly supplies out of India during WWII. He achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant and received the American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal and WWII Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1946.

In 1944, Jerry married the love of his life, Allene Loraine Ackerman. After his discharge from the service, Jerry and Allene settled in the Monrovia and Arcadia, California area, where Jerry managed the family owned department store, McBratney's until 1968. He was a prominent businessman serving as President of the Monrovia Jr. Chamber of Commerce, Monrovia Chamber of Commerce and as a Board of Director of the San Gabriel Community Concert Association, Red Cross, Community Chest and Monrovia Merchants Association. He also was a Chairman on several Monrovia Tax initiatives from 1950 to 1964. Jerry lost his wife, Allene, in 1962 to Leukemia. He then married Linden E. Sievers in 1966 (later divorced).

In 1971, he and his family moved to Pocatello, Idaho where he became the General Manager of the downtown Fargo Wells Department store. In 1972, he bought the Mayfair, a women's apparel/bridal store in Twin Falls, Idaho. In 1979, he closed the Mayfair and went to work for the Idaho Private Industry Council until his retirement.

Jerry thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors. His hobbies included: fishing, snorkeling, hunting and gardening. In fact, he was known in Twin Falls as the “onion man”, growing and selling sweet onions at the Twin Falls Farmers Market.
Due to age, Jerry moved back to the Pocatello Area in 2005 to be near his daughter Laurie Cole. He has resided at Ridgewind Assisted Living for 8 years, where he loved to take walks and feed horses close to the facility. He was also a favorite with the resident's pets, as well as maintaining a small garden of tomatoes each summer.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Allene, sisters: Sheila Thompson, Kathleen Ashey and step-son, Robert Sievers.

He is survived by his brother, John B. McBratney Jr. of Vancouver, WA, sons: Mickey McBratney of Solana Beach , CA, Jeff McBratney (Cindy) Irvine, CA, daughters: Melissa McBratney, of San Diego, CA, Laurie M. Cole (Greg), Pocatello, ID, and stepson, Richard Sievers of Vancouver, WA. Jerry was blessed with 7 grandchildren: Brian, Paul, Alex (Lindsie) and Megan McBratney, Heather (Sean) Tensel, Michelle and Jennifer Cole. He also has 8 wonderful great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Per his wishes, a Celebration of Life barbeque event will be held this summer at the home of Laurie and Greg Cole in Pocatello. Interment will be a private family affair at Live Oak Memorial Park, Monrovia, California in May.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to all the staff at Ridgewind Assisted Living for all of their care and support of Jerry over the past 8 years. Thanks, also to Encompass Home Health and Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org) or the cancer charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck, Idaho. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.wilksfuneralhome.com.

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