James Brady

James O. Brady was born Oct. 4, 1926, in Geuda Springs, Kan., the son of Richard Brady and Ola Belle Craddock Brady. He died Sunday, July 22, 2012 at the Veteran's Center in Norman. Jim attended the Gulf Town one-room schoolhouse northeast of Henryetta, leaving school after he completed the eighth grade. He joined the U. S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He later met Mary Louise Burrow in Oklahoma City and they were married Dec. 24, 1948. Jim worked at Tinker Air Force Base for more than 30 years and retired in 1982. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and, most of all, telling stories. In his later years, he traded his guns for a camera and learned to love photography. After his retirement, he built a woodshop and made rustic furniture, bird houses and cedar boxes, which he gave away to neighbors, friends and family. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Oklahoma City and enjoyed helping put up Christmas decorations at the church. After heart surgery in 1989, Jim quit smoking his cigars and began walking, often covering seven miles a day. During his walks, he picked up aluminum cans, selling them for cash for vacations to the mountains with Mary Lou. He made many friends on his walks, many of whom saved cans for him. Jim never met a stranger and made friends wherever he went. He was always willing to give a hand to anyone who needed it. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of more than 50 years Mary Louise on Jan. 13, 2003, mother-in-law and father-in law, Thelma and Eddie Burrow and brothers Richard Brady and Bob Brady. He is survived by his children, daughters, Mary Ann Brady of Shattuck, Karen Brady and Marc Poole of Cogar, Mignon Brady Callaway of Henryetta, Colleen and Gary Duncan of Higgins, Texas and son James E. Brady and wife Cathy of Oklahoma City, sister Betty Davis of Henryetta, brother Joe Brady and wife Pat of Sulphur, grandchildren Bob Hall and wife Corey of Newberg,Oregon and James E. Rogers of Oklahoma City, Justin R. Brady of Oklahoma City and Rachel New Moon and Steve Anderson of Oklahoma City, five great grandchildren and many cousins, nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.