Tony Brackens Sr., who was Fairfield’s first black mayor, received the 2024 Legacy Award from the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce this year.
“It is an honor as well as a humbling experience to receive the Legacy Award. As a leader, I wanted to serve in hopes that I could impact the lives of the community,” Brackens said. “This award solidifies that the people appreciate the efforts I had for our community. I have been out of politics for a number of years so for others to still recognize what I have done is really gratifying. I am very thankful they thought highly of me and wanted to recognize me. I am so thankful for this growing community and its citizens. I am just proud to be a citizen of Fairfield, Texas.”
Brackens was born in 1949 in Dallas to Okeith Montgomery and Dorothy Brackens. He spent summers in Fairfield with his grandparents, Esker and Hortense Brackens, working on area farms and ranches where he developed a love for the land and the citizens of Fairfield.
Graduating from Dogan High School in 1967, he attended Nabarro Junior College. In 1968, he went to work for Fairfield Telephone and Telegraph Company in construction. He married the love of his life, Sherry Andy of Fairfield, in 1969.
One month later, he was drafted in the USArmy for the Vietnam War. His prior work experience and college training was implemented in his Army Service promotion from Private First Class to a Sergeant E-5 Specialist in Army field communications operations.
In the field, his duty was to maintain and operate radio and phone signals from his company in the field to the Army base. In 1971, he was honorably discharged and awarded the National Defense Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
In 1982, he was rehired with the phone company and joined the Army National Guard. He served as Tank Commander until a training injury in 1985 forced him to resign.
Tony ran for the Fairfield City Council and won a seat in 1983. He served for four terms. During his term, he worked with others to locate grants to upgrade the city services that would help those without indoor plumbing.
While on the council, he served as Mayor Pro-tem and was elected Mayor in 1992, becoming Fairfield’s first black Mayor. While serving as Mayor, he worked with cities along the I-45 corridor to locate grants that would attract businesses to the Fairfield Industrial Park.
Through the years, Tony has served in many agricultural programs which include the Freestone County Extension Services, 4-H Adult Leaders Association, Crop and Vegetable Garden Committee, Beef and Forage Committee, Freestone County Fair Sale Committee, and 4-H Clover Award. He and his wife, Sherry, were showcased in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade for Freestone County Night as well.
Brackens is the Co-Founder for the Ike Carden Rodeo Association, a non-profit 501c-3 organization, established to promote rodeos for the the funding of college educational scholarships to Freestone County Youth. He served on the board from 1999-2008.
Other award, achievements, and service include The Contel of Texas - Public Affairs Award, Outstanding Service Award - Texas A&M University, NAACP Community Improvement Award, NAACP Citizenship Award, Butler Water Board Director, President of the Dogan School Alumni Association, and was the first black man to receive the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award. He has served his church, Jones Chapel Methodist Church faithfully since 1973 through activities, missions, and various committees as well as being in the church choir alongside his wife.
Tony and Sherry have been married for 55 years. Their legacy is carried forward by their three children - Shetonia (husband Chris), Tony Jr. (wife Candace), and Charkeith (wife Felicia). They have eight grandchildren - Caleb (wife Dani), Aaryn, Aiden, McKinna, Charlee, Blayke, Kole, and Harper.
