Jim L. Bradley, beloved husband, loving father, and proud Grandpa passed away and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 4, 2023, surrounded by his family in Huntsville, Texas, at age 80. Jim was born at home on September 10, 1942, in Latexo, Texas, to Andrew Lacy Bradley and Ira Mae Dell (Goolsby) Bradley. One of three children, he had an older sister, Nelda Maurice (Bradley) Currie, and older brother, Wesley Price Bradley. He graduated from Latexo High School in 1960 where he played basketball. Jim married the cute girl he saw riding the school bus who became his high school sweetheart, Shirley Ann Myers, on May 4, 1963. Together they moved to Huntsville to begin the next chapter of their lives and welcomed a daughter, Kristie Lynn (Bradley) Kelarek in December, 1969. She was the apple of his eye and they shared a special bond.

Jim began his 35-year career with the Texas Highway Department, now known as the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), in 1960. He worked in various capacities over the years and retired from the Motor Vehicle Division on 8/31/95. For many years after he retired, he met weekly with a group of friends for breakfast to "chew the fat" and laugh a lot. Jim's favorite meal was breakfast and he would make it often for his family (pancakes were his specialty) and daily for Shirley once he retired. He also walked the neighborhood every day with another group of friends and would often stop at different houses along the way to chat with his neighbors. Affectionately known as "Mr. B" by his wife, he indulged Shirley and Kristie's love for travel with many trips over the years over much of the US from the East to West coasts, the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, California, multiple trips to Colorado and the Smoky Mountains, and even ventured as far as England, Scotland, and Wales. He loved snow skiing and went on many ski trips with family and friends. He had many adventures including motorcycle riding, white water rafting, biking down a mountain pass, and riding in helicopters. He even took a flying lesson and briefly mulled over buying a small plane with some friends. Shirley was thankful he decided to keep his feet on the ground. His grandson Christian was the joy and light of his life, and he relished picking him up from school every day in his big red truck, attending every Grandparent's Day at school, award's ceremony, and graduations from preschool, junior high, and high school. He attended most of Christian's football games, swim, and track meets. They both loved to watch and discuss sports together, particularly football and basketball.

He loved getting together with family and friends, especially Christmas Eve, and for years Shirley and Jim attended and often hosted an annual New Year's Eve domino "42" party with friends where the winning team won an Avon bottle in the shape of a domino and the losing team received a bottle in the shape of a skunk, each team holding onto their prize until the next NYE party. Jim was a member of University Heights Baptist Church for over 55 years, first attending when it was East End Baptist Church, which moved locations and changed its name to University Heights Baptist Church in 1966. He was active in the church for many years and faithfully served in various roles including Children's Sunday School Teacher, Nursery Worker, Usher, Greeter, co-taught the Young Professionals' Class and was ordained as a Deacon on January 7, 2001. Jim spent his life as a hardworking, dedicated, faithful and loving man. He had a long-standing relationship with God and was very blessed in his faith. Known for his kindness, beautiful spirit, gentle humor and smile, he was always there for his family and friends. This gentle, loving, caring and wonderful man has left a permanent mark etched on our hearts and we will miss him every day. His life was well lived and he was well loved.

Jim is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Shirley (Myers) Bradley, daughter Kristie (Bradley) Kelarek and husband Larry, grandson Christian Kelarek, sister-in-law Maxine Bradley, and nephew Jason Bradley.Jim is now rejoicing in heaven with his parents, Andrew Lacy and Ira Mae Dell Bradley, brother, Wesley Bradley, sister, Maurice Currie and a host of extended family members and friends, but also leaves behind many other friends and family who will cherish their memories of him. The family  would like to thank all the health care professionals from First Choice Hospice who comforted and cared for Jim in his last days, especially Phee, Amanda, Dee, Hailey, and Sarah as well as other special caregivers Carla and Dorothy.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, March 11th, at 11:00 a.m. at University Heights Baptist Church in Huntsville, Texas, with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Crockett under the direction of Heritage Oak Funeral Home. A visitation will take place before the funeral Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you to consider donating to the UHBC Benevolence Fund or the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Memorial condolences may be made to the family online at www.heritageoakfh.com