James Royce Bradley

James R. “Cotton” Bradley, age 78, passed away Sunday, April 1, 2012, in Odessa, after a lengthy illness.

Cotton was born September 11, 1933, in Abilene, TX, to John and Irma Lee Bradley. Cotton moved with his family to Odessa on April 1, 1946, where he later attended Odessa High School. He married Nelda Faye Hamilton on June 25, 1958.

Cotton and his partner, Houston Kirby, started KC Heating & A/C in 1957. Cotton was then in management with SMC Inc for 18 years. In 1982, Cotton and his partners started Flexbar Inc and Spectra Engineering. Cotton retired in 1997.

He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Survivors include his wife, Faye Bradley of Odessa; sons, James David and Christopher Bradley; daughters, Andrea Swaim and husband, Lesley; Stephanie Black and husband, James, all of Odessa; grandchildren, Casey Swaim, Amber Micheletti, Amanda Apolinar, Connor Black, and Corby Swaim, all of Odessa; and Haylea and Dylan Bradley, both of Big Lake, TX; great-grandchildren, Adyson and Austen Micheletti, Frankie Apolinar, and Gentry Swaim, all of Odessa.

Family visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Honorary pallbearers will be James David Bradley, Lesley Swaim, James Black, Casey Swaim, Connor Black, AJ Micheletti, Frank Apolinar, and Corby Swaim.

The family would like to thank Interim Hospice of Midland, and request that in lieu of flowers, any donations be sent in Cotton’s memory to Interim at 1031 Andrews Hwy, Ste 200, Midland, TX 79701. Special thanks go to Kristi Allen, Courtney Smith, and Amy Burns for their special kindness and loving care during this difficult and trying time.

Services entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.