Jack Bratlie had a good life. He was born in Portland, OR to John and Winifred Bratlie on February 24, 1924, and he passed peacefully February 11, 2022 in Puyallup, WA, just shy of his 98th birthday. He was raised in Ridgefield, WA. He served in WWII as a navigator on a B-17. He survived a crash landing in occupied Hungary, and later attended reunions in Kiskunmajsa with his crew and the families that took them in and fed them. One reunion in Hungary occurred in 1986 during the iron curtain era. While attending PLU he met and married the love of his life, Marion Savage. Jack is survived by his 5 children, Barbara, John, Beth, Mark and Eric, 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Jack was a well rounded natural athlete. He excelled in high school and college baseball, basketball and football. He played quarterback with PLU in the 1947 Pear Bowl which they won. He taught school and coached in the Orting and Eatonville Districts, and resided at Clear Lake. Later he became an elementary principal in the Clover Park District. He was a crossword puzzle whiz, played a mean game of golf, and made great smoked salmon. He enjoyed his morning coffee group in Parkland. Every year he hosted a big blowout family Christmas which we loved. Jack was a kind and generous man. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Donations may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church at 11012 Canyon Rd E in Tacoma or your favorite charity. Funeral service will be held March 4, at 1:30 pm at Our Savior Lutheran Church.
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