MOUNT VERNON — Richard Ray Bravard, 84, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 2:45 am July 22, 2023, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon. He was born December 7, 1938, in Mount Vernon, Illinois to the late Guy and Ethel (Pugh) Bravard. Richard married Frances (Johnson) Bravard on April 13, 1958.
In addition to his beloved wife of sixty-five years, Richard is survived by his daughter, Starla Brieseacher and husband, Rex of Mount Vernon, Illinois; son, Brent Bravard and significant other, Carrie Draper of Mount Vernon, Illinois; grandchildren, Ryne Brieseacher and wife, Jamie of Mount Vernon, Illinois, Britney Adamson and husband, Shelton of Moweaqua, Illinois, and Abby Bravard of Mount Vernon, Illinois; great-grandchildren, Paisley, Waylon, and Staley Ann Brieseacher, Sora Smith, and Calum and Nova-Rae Adamson; sister, Sharon Fradelos and husband, Conn of Mount Vernon, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Imogene Lovin; nephew, Charles Lovin; and nieces, Brenda and Barbara Lovin.
Ray grew up on South 10th Street in Mt. Vernon. He enjoyed helping his dad at Bravard’s Fruit Stand. Ray worked as a truck driver and transported watermelons from Florida to sell at the family fruit stand. He worked several years as a truck driver before becoming a police officer for the City of Mount Vernon. He retired from the City after 21 years of service and the rank of Captain. Ray earned his Associates degree from Rend Lake College and his Bachelors degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. After retirement, he used his Bachelors degree to become a substitute teacher in Jefferson County. He enjoyed substituting and interacting with the younger generation. Ray served 2 terms on the Mount Vernon City Council and served many years on the Fire and Police Commission. He was a member of the Kingsmen Car Club. He loved fast cars and owned many over the years. At the tender age of 80, he bought his first brand new Corvette. Ray was a skilled shuffleboard player. He was an Illinois State Shuffleboard Champion and a National Shuffleboard Champion. He won gold as a singles player and a doubles player with Frances at the Senior Olympics. Ray and Frances enjoyed spending the winters in Florida in their camper. They loved their Florida friends, playing in weekly shuffleboard tournaments, and the warm sunshine. Ray’s competitiveness came out in many ways over the years. He played and coached basketball in a men’s league when he was a young man. His teams were always made up of the best and most competitive players. Ray coached women’s softball for 30 years. He began the journey as a fast pitch travel team coach and then coached slow pitch in the City league. His teams always had talented and dedicated players which meant they won a lot of games and championships. Over the years he coached his wife, sister, and daughter. Ray loved his family. He enjoyed the time spent with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his eyes they were all perfect humans and he loved them dearly. Ray attended Casey Avenue Baptist Church for many years and served various roles there. Buss Hart was his pastor and Ray adored him. Ray and John Ancona decided that Casey Avenue Baptist Church needed a ballfield so they built one. It was a ballfield to be used by the church and the neighborhood. Most recently Ray attended Campground Baptist Church where he enjoyed his church family.
A Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 26, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 10:00 am with Pastor J.R. Browder officiating. Interment will follow at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville, Illinois.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.