Don Bragg, Olympic gold medalist, receives Viking memorial -

Family and friends of Don Bragg celebrated his life on Saturday, March 23. Bragg, a former Clayton resident and Olympic gold medalist in pole vault, got a send-off fit for a Viking warrior.

Bragg passed away February 16 at age 83. His life had been filled with love of family, including his wife Theresa and his many children and grandchildren. In addition to winning the 1960 Olympic gold medal in pole vault, Bragg published several books. He and Theresa also founded Kamp Olympik, a summer camp in New Jersey for inner city boys. According to Don’s family, “the road to all his goals was through faith and determination. Faith in God and himself, and determination to be the best at whatever he chose.”

Don Bragg, Olympic gold medalist, receives Viking memorial — *Nick Hartman, grandson, Theresa Bragg, wife and Renee Bragg, daughter of Don Bragg*

At Saturday’s celebration, Bragg’s grandson Nick Hart gave the eulogy and shared a childhood memory. Don was a great inventor, said Hart, and his kids and grandkids were usually his laboratory. One year, while at Kamp Olympik, Don fashioned a luge-style board for Nick and his brother to ride down a storm drain. Problem was, there was no braking system. When the kids got to the bottom with bloody arms and legs, “Pop said, why didn’t you just use your feet?”

Final remarks were offered by Gene Kilroy, who was business manager and close friend of Mohammed Ali. Bragg and Ali attended the 1960 Olympics together and remained good friends afterwards (Click here to read about their friendship from the Pioneer archive).

Viking farewell

Don was Norwegian and proud of his Viking blood. Traditionally, the Vikings put their dead on a ship, covered the body with gifts, then set it on fire. This is the send off to Valhalla.

On Saturday, after the stories and songs, Bragg’s family sent off a Viking ship and raised a glass to mark the end of the journey for a warrior, poet, philanthropist, husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Tags: Clayton, Don Bragg, Olympics