Daniel J. Brackett

Daniel J. Brackett, 76, died unexpectedly on July 21, 2017, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dan was born in Wewoka, Oklahoma, on June 10, 1941, to Clara Mae Goforth Brackett and Roy Lawrence Brackett who preceded him in death. His dedication to helping others led Dan into various aspects of the medical field including the following: research physiologist at Veterans Affair Medical Center, professor and director of surgical research at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, faculty member of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Graduate College, and Executive Director at Veterans Research and Education Foundation. Dan established a pancreatic cancer support group in which he stayed actively involved. As with most of Dan’s relationships, if you were his friend, you were his friend for life. His relationships have remained strong with all of those he worked with and for. Dan’s passion for helping others extended to art and artists. He was an avid collector of work by Native artists and served on the board at Fred Jones Museum of Art. He was also the chair of the board of the trustees at the Oscar Jacobson Foundation. In 2014, he was awarded the Distinguished Governor’s Arts Award which recognizes longtime leadership and significant contributions to the arts. Recently, Dan became the owner and founder of an Native American art gallery, The Corridor at PASEO. One of his primary goals has always been to support and to promote Native artists. A portions of Dan’s extensive Native art collection has been entrusted to the University of Oklahoma and is on permanent display at the David L. Boren Student Union at the OU Health Sciences Center. Dan’s personal philosophy was that art is to be shared. The love of family is evident in all aspects of Dan’s life. He was the first to arrive at family reunions and the last to leave. He was also actively involved with his grandchildren whether it was on the ski slopes, rock climbing competitions, or current movies and exhibits. He is survived by his wife Janet of Seminole; his son Sean and wife Jana of Harrah; his daughter Shannon of Los Angeles; his grandchildren Brandy Jeffreys and husband Josh, Colby and wife Destiney, Rayce, and Danica; his brothers Bill and wife Cheryl, Bob and wife Marina, and numerous cousins as well as nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Service, will be at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at the First Baptist Church at 420 Reid Street in Seminole, Oklahoma with Pastor Nick Atyia officiating at the service. Private Family Burial will be , Tuesday morning, at Maple Grove Cemetery in Seminole, Oklahoma. The family will receive friends and family at a visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Monday evening, July 24, 2017 at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Pancreatic Support Group , through The Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, (405) 488-1450, you may send donations to;2932 N.W. 122nd Street , Suite D , Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73120. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: July 25, 2017, 2:00 PM Celebration of Life Service at First Baptist Church at 420 Reid Street, Seminole, Oklahoma located at 420 reid street, Seminole, OK 74868