John K. Bragg

Born in Washington, DC, he was the son of the late Capt. K. B. Bragg and Kathleen Boews Bragg. He graduated from Hill School in Pottstown, PA, and received his B.S. degree in chemistry from Harvard University.

Following his graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy six months before Pearl Harbor. He served in an explosives lab in Pennsylvania, then volunteered for submarine duty. Mr. Bragg married Mary Roberts of Wise, VA, on September 25, 1943, then served the following year aboard the USS Hardhead in the South Pacific.

After his discharge from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander, Mr. Bragg resumed his studies at Harvard University, earning his doctorate in physics. He taught physics at Cornell University, then went into industrial research, working for General Electric, Singer and other firms in upstate New York. Retiring to Asheville in 1991, he taught physics as an adjunct professor at UNCA. He and his wife enjoyed hiking the trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

John Bragg leaves a legacy of devotion to his family. He profoundly touched and helped many through the courageous example of his own life.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, and their four children, Janet Campbell of Chicago, Il; John Bragg, Jr. of Meriden, NH; Kathleen Lindquist of Quincey, FL; Arthur Bragg of Boulder, CO; his sister Marian Minnich and brother-in-law S.C. Minnich of Black Mountain, and their two sons Larry and Ken Minnich of Asheville; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A service in celebration of John Braggs’s life will be held at 4 pm Monday at Grace Episcopal Church on Merrimon Avenue. The family requests no flowers.

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is in charge of arrangements.