Ardell "AT" Tilletson Brainerd

Ardell “A.T.” Tilletson Brainerd, Jr, 88, a resident of Bull Shoals, passed away Friday, June 28, 2024, in Flippin, Arkansas. He was born October 17, 1935, in Gassville, the son of Ardell Tillotson and Velma Lavora Caststeel Brainerd.

A.T. was a 1961 graduate from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and was an avid Razorbacks fan. A.T. was a decorated military veteran, enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private in 1953 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1984. His overseas tours included Panama, Turkey, Vietnam, Africa and Germany. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Brainerd loved his family, traveling throughout the US to enjoy holidays, birthdays, and graduations with his grandchildren. He was an avid auto enthusiast winning several accolades with his 1966 Datsun Roadster. He loved horseback riding and flying airplanes.

A.T. is survived by his wife of 67 years, Donna Jean Brainerd; daughters, Pamela (Tom) Hammerle and Cheryl Brainerd; brother Larry (Debbie) Brainerd; four grandsons; ten great-grandchildren and five nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Anna Marie Tilley.

A Graveside service will be at 11:00AM on July 5, 2024, at Gassville Cemetery with full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and Chaplain Jami Scott.