James Braddy

James Benjamin Braddy was born to James Junior and Simmie Eva Braddy, in Ocala, FL on February 7, 1963.

He joined the United States Air Force in 1981 and served in Operation Just Cause, Operation Desert Shield, and Operation Desert Storm. After 9 years in the Air Force, he transitioned into the Army as a Warrant Officer and became a UH-1 Qualified helicopter pilot. He was proud to have served his country and was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Jim met Luz Velasco while serving in Panama. They married and started a family together. After serving in the military, Jim opened a deli restaurant business, Larry’s Giant Subs. During that time, he would bring lunches to his children during school hours and learned quite a bit about running a business. He then went on to explore a career in the mortgage banking industry. Jim established his own mortgage company. While still working in the mortgage industry, he was also very interested in financial law and spent eight years working with a law firm. He was a hardworking entrepreneur, while always making time for adventures with his children. He loved living close to the beach, and enjoyed playing with our family dog, McGee, and watching the sunset as often as he could.

Jim was a passionate father and an excellent cook. He loved food, especially cheeseburgers! He was always preparing something new and delicious for Sunday dinners with his family. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and always showed off their pictures to friends and colleagues.

Jim Braddy wasn’t a shy or timid man, by no means. He would often describe himself as bold, cocky, egotistical, and arrogant. He was a confidant man, but he was also kind and compassionate under that tough exterior. He always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small. He will be dearly missed by his loved ones.

Jim Braddy is survived by his son, Matthew Stephen Braddy, his wife, Debra Braddy, his daughter, Allyson Rebecca Kelly, her husband, Timothy Kelly; his grandchildren, Benjamin Allen Braddy and Abigail Maddison Braddy; and his sister, Linda Gail Adams and her husband Brad Adams. He is preceded in death by his sister, Cindy Darling Greenlee; and his parents.