Martin Luther Brackett Jr. passed away on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, after a short illness. He was without pain and in peace surrounded by his loved ones.
Martin was a native of Charlotte, NC, where he was raised by Martin Luther “Luke” Brackett Sr. and Helen Smith Brackett, the middle of three sons (with brothers Doug and Charlie Brackett as bookends). He was born in February 1947 itching for a fight, and channeled that energy into scouting and sports, earning his Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow, and a football scholarship to Davidson College.
Martin attended East Mecklenburg High School, Class of ’64. He graduated from Davidson in 1969 (although he really considered himself part of the Class of ’68), where he was a member of the football team and President of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Martin attended law school at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Class of ’72. He was full of stories from his school days, and some of them were even true.
Martin received his honorable discharge from the United States Army in 1969 and was subsequently commissioned as an officer in the United States Army Reserves from which he was honorably discharged as a Captain.
Martin was an esteemed and proud member of the North Carolina State Bar, with a career as a litigator that touched six decades and countless lives. For most of that career he was a partner with Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, which was a professional home but also the home for many of his most important and enduring friendships. Among the numerous honors and accolades bestowed upon him professionally, he was proudest of his membership as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
He also had the honor to serve on the Board of Trustees of UNC-Charlotte (2011-2015), North Carolina Railroad Company’s Board of Directors (2017-present), a Permanent Member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference, a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, Board of Trustees of the North Carolina Outward Bound School (1987-1995), and as a member and Chairman of the Charlotte Auditorium-Coliseum-Convention Center Authority (1981-1987).
Martin was recognized throughout his career for his pro bono service. He was also recognized throughout his career by peers, adversaries, clients and judges alike as a man to be reckoned with, but who was fair, honest and good to his word.
Martin’s appreciation for his professional accomplishments paled in comparison to his pride as a father to four children, grandfather to three grandsons and husband to a loving wife. The only joy in life that ever approached the joy he derived from his family was hiking in the high mountains of the American West and rolling hills of Western North Carolina, whether with good friends, a loyal dog or just his thoughts. If you need to imagine him now, imagine him there, walking stick in hand, hat on his head and pack on his back, ready to strike off on adventure.
Martin is survived by his wife, Lisa Kay Brackett; his children, Amelia Brackett, Lauren Brackett and her fiancé, George Docherty of Charlotte, NC, Hunter Brackett and his wife, Kristye and their son, McKay (11) of Raleigh, NC and Alex Brackett and his wife, Callie and their sons, Jones (18) and Ben (16) of Richmond, VA. He is also survived by his older brother, Doug Brackett and his wife, Sara Gwynn and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Martin will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. The family will receive friends following the service in Oxford Hall. The service will be livestreamed at: https://myersparkpres.org/live/special/ for those unable to attend in person.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Martin to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, 717 S. Marshall Street, Suite 105B, Winston Salem, NC 27101 (https://www.brpfoundation.org/donate) or the North Carolina Outward Bound School, 2852 Riceville Road, Asheville, NC 28805 (https://www.ncobs.org/donate/).
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.