Bragg, Denver Dayton

Denver Dayton Bragg, 97, of Blacksburg, died Saturday, February 9, 2013, at Kroontje Health Care Center. He was born in Duffy, W.Va. on April 13, 1915, to the late George William Bragg and Arcelia M. Pickens Bragg. He was preceded in death by his wife, Oreta Prescott Bragg. He graduated with a B.S. from West Virginia University and an M.S. from Virginia Tech in Poultry Science. He was a veteran of World War II, having served as a Captain in the United States Army Supply Corps in the European Theatre. After the war, Denver was a West Virginia agricultural extension agent. From 1949 to 1973, he was an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech in the Animal and Poultry Science Department. In 1963, he received the Pfizer Extension Award for Distinguished Service to the nation’s poultry industry. From 1973 to 1979, he worked for Heatwole Hatcheries. Denver is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Bill Reinhard, of Bluffton, S.C.; son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Ann Bragg, of Blacksburg; grandchildren and spouses, Ann Reinhard and Tim Kelley, Robert G. and Julie Reinhard, James B. and Angie Bragg, and William B. Bragg and Shawn Bergen; great-grandchildren, Justin Kelley, Amanda Kelley, Victoria Kelley, Andrew Reinhard, Simon Reinhard, and Trevor Bragg. For almost five years, we were so blessed with a truly special person, Kathy Hodge. She is not just an exceptional caregiver, but a good friend. Enough cannot be said about Rosie Deplazes, Anik Tegegnework, and Sujen Own. The care all four gave Denver was above and beyond. They will always be like family to us. Denver chose Showalter Center to be his home for 12 years. Because of the friendly atmosphere and care of everyone there, this was truly a home. We would also like to thank Medi Home Health and Hospice for providing a wonderful service during the last month. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, February 15, 2013, in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Don McKinney officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Denver D. Bragg Scholarship, Virginia Tech Foundation, Gift Accounting, 902 Prices Fork Road, MCO 336, Blacksburg, VA 24060. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.