RAPID CITY - John D. Bracken, 80, Rapid City, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He was born July 5, 1929 at Kingsport, Tenn., to James and Nellie Bracken. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1947 and did tours in Okinawa, Taiwan and Spain, and was also assigned to various military bases in the United States. After 26 years of duty, he retired as a Master Sargeant at Ellsworth Air Force Base. For 25 years John owned and operated C&B Carpet in Rapid City. John married Helen Kirkeby on Dec. 18, 1976. The couple resided in Rapid City. John was one of the original founders of the Rapid City Trap Club. He won many awards in the sport, including the SD State Veterans Singles Champion of 1994 and 1996, the SD State Handicap Champion in 1983, and the SD State Doubles Champion in 1975. He also won the SD State High Over All title in 1975. He was a Grand National Trap Shooting Champion. When asked what he felt his greatest accomplishment was, he said it had to be when he coached the 2006 National Champion Senior Division SCTP team from Rapid City. John passed on his knowledge and love of the sport to many youth shooters while coaching in the SCTP program and helping with the Game, Fish & Parks Hunt Safe Program. He was a lifetime member of Rod & Gun and the NRA. Survivors include his wife, Helen, Rapid City; two daughters, Linda (Kenny) Gibbons and Terry Johnson, both of Rapid City; his son, Greg Bracken, Hulette, Wyo.; five stepchildren, Randy (Valarie) Kirkeby, Eagle River, Alaska, Beth (Ted) Peiffer, Pam (Keith) Carlyle and Mark (Sheryl) Kirkeby, all of Rapid City, and Lynette Kirkeby, Deadwood; 20 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Pat Karn officiating. Burial, with military honors provided by the Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard, will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. The family suggests memorial donations to the Rapid City Trap Club Youth Program.