Gary Bracken, Tele-Communications Inc.'s longtime controller and executive
vice president, died of a heart attack in Denver April 23. He was 61.
Bracken, who was stricken after working out at a health club, was considered
a member of the 'core group' that built TCI into the nation's largest MSO over
three decades.
'He was just a wonderful man,' former TCI vice president of corporate
communications Lela Cocoros said. 'He was a kind, compassionate, understated man
who wanted to be part of a team and was very committed to the company.'
An estimated 500 mourners, including some of the cable industry's most
recognizable names, crowded their way into funeral services April 27 at the
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Denver. The sanctuary was so packed with
industry heavyweights that it prompted one attendee to say she had 'never seen
so many muckity-mucks' crowded into one location.
Among those attending were former TCI executives J.C. Sparkman, Larry
Romrell, Don Fisher, Terry Davis, Sadie Decker, Bob Thomson and Larry
Carlton.
The fact that Carlton traveled from his home on Maui to attend the services
was indicative of the respect Bracken received from his fellow TCI executives,
Sparkman said.
In his own understated way, Bracken was as well-known in the cable industry
as any of his more high-profile colleagues, said Davis, TCI's former assistant
general counsel and a longtime family friend.
'During the services, the pastor asked the gathering to raise their hands if
they had the pleasure of working with Gary,' said Davis. 'I'll bet about
three-fourths of the people there raised their hands.'
Bracken was born in Worland, Wyo., July 29, 1939. In 1969, he left his job at
a Big Eight accounting firm to become controller of TCI. He eventually rose to
executive vice president.
He is survived by his wife, Dotty; a son, Daniel Kevin; and a daughter,
Carlee Goemans.
