CATA teacher Ray Brauer dies after battle with COVID-19

Brauer is the first full-time Cullman County Schools employee to die from the disease

By: W.C. Mann

February 25, 2021

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pasted image 0 — Ray Brauer demonstrates mechatronics to a group of young students. (File photo courtesy of Billy Troutman/CATA)

CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman Area Technology Academy (CATA) Mechatronics teacher Raymond “Ray” Brauer passed away Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 24. According to CATA staff, Brauer had been hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19.

Cullman County Schools Superintendent Dr. Shane Barnette told The Tribune, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Brauer. Ray was passionate about helping his students to learn a skill that they could turn into a career for years to come. He was loved by his fellow educators and his students. He will be greatly missed.”

Barnette said Brauer is the first full-time employee of the system to die from COVID-19. Back in December, former longtime West Point volunteer softball coach Mike Brown also succumbed to the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

CATA Principal Billy Troutman shared, “Mr. Brauer was a gifted teacher who was passionate about his students and the Mechatronics Program, but more importantly he was a kind and compassionate person with a great sense of humor and dear friend to us all here at CATA. We love Ray and will dearly miss him.”

The family will receive friends Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 at Ridout’s Gardendale Chapel, 2029 Decatur Hwy., Gardendale, AL. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. with a time of visitation following the service from 4-5 p.m.