Clifton Rhodes Bratcher

Clifton Rhodes Bratcher (December 23, 1917 – July 25, 1977) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.

Clifton Rhodes Bratcher
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
In office 1976–1977
Preceded by	James Fleming Gordon
Succeeded by	Charles M. Allen
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
In office October 16, 1970 – July 25, 1977
Appointed by	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	Seat established by 84 Stat. 294
Succeeded by	Thomas A. Ballantine Jr.
Personal details
Born	Clifton Rhodes Bratcher (1917-12-23)December 23, 1917 Morgantown, Kentucky
Died	July 25, 1977(1977-07-25) (aged 59)
Education	University of Louisville School of Law (LL.B.)

Education and career

Born in Morgantown, Kentucky, Bratcher was a Sergeant in the United States Army during World War II, from 1941 to 1945, and then received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Louisville School of Law in 1947. He was the county attorney of Butler County in Morgantown, Kentucky from 1950 to 1953. He was a Chief Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky from 1953 to 1955, thereafter entering private practice in Owensboro, Kentucky from 1956 to 1970.

Federal judicial service

Judicial portrait of Bratcher, 1981.

On October 7, 1970, Bratcher was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky created by 84 Stat. 294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 13, 1970, and received his commission on October 16, 1970. He served as Chief Judge from 1976 until his death on July 25, 1977.

Sources

• Clifton Rhodes Bratcher at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.