Hundreds gather to honor Bragwell's life

David Gardner said it was a privilege to know Allan Bragwell.

"His drive and willingness to help others was unmatched by anyone. He leaves a tremendous legacy," said Gardner, area manager for Air Evac Lifeteam based in the Shoals.

Gardner, along with emergency personnel from throughout the state, gathered with Bragwell's family and friends Thursday afternoon at Underwood Baptist Church to pay their respects and honor Bragwell's life.

"We have gathered here to celebrate his life, a spectacular life," said Stan Pruitt, pastor at Center Star Church, and Bragwell's brother-in-law. "In a few days, you may never remember the words spoken here today, but you will never forget Allan Bragwell, a great friend, a great person."

More than 600 people, many who were emergency medical personnel, attended the service.

Bragwell and two other members of Air Evac 16 were killed Sunday when the helicopter they were in crashed while they were helping in the search for a lost hunter in the Freedom Hills Wildlife Management area off Mount Mills Road near Barton.

The pilot, Michael Baker, 41, and registered nurse Tiffany Miles, 29, were also killed in the tragedy. The funeral service for Miles will be at 2 p.m. today at Woodmont Baptist Church in Florence. A memorial service for Baker will take place in Michigan.

A memorial service honoring all three of the victims will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals.

With the crowd seated, a flight suit draped on the coffin and a flight helmet on top, the hundreds of emergency personnel, many holding hands and others wiping tears, walked into the church sanctuary with the song "I Believe I Can Fly" piped through the sound system.

Gardner said Bragwell's mother told him that when her son was 7 years old he told her he wanted to be a "healer."

"He wanted to do something for people, something to help people. And that was Allan's character," said Gardner as a collage of photos depicting Bragwell's life was projected on a big screen above the pulpit.

In one of the photos, Bragwell was giving aid to a small child and the child was reaching up to him to touch his cheek.

"I can't say enough. He was the best man I've ever known," said Bragwell's son, Evan. "There's not enough words to describe how great a father he was, a husband he was and a son he was. He was a special person."

Bragwell was a paramedic for 18 years, employed at Helen Keller EMS for 17 years and was a flight medic for Air Evac Lifeteam for the past five years. He was also a volunteer paramedic for the Underwood-Petersville Volunteer Fire Department and was the interim director of Keller EMS.

Air Evac Helicopters honored Bragwell with a fly-over during the burial service at Greenview Memorial Park after the afternoon funeral service.

"Allan was a special, unique person. He set the bar high for many of us," Gardner said.

"In our lives we encounter very few people like Allan," Pruitt said. "I was blessed to know him closely. We thank the Lord for the lives he has touched, the lives he has saved and what we take from knowing him.

"The people who are here are a testament to his life and what he meant."

Pruitt said Bragwell didn't just have a desire, but the ability to put himself before others.

"Jesus said he did not come to be served, but to serve others. Allan was that way," he said. "Don't simply remember him, but let him help you be a better person."

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.