Jesse Bradley Miracle

Jesse Bradley Miracle was born the 4th child out of 10 to John and Matilda Baird Miracle September 4, 1922. He grew up during the depression before electricity, indoor plumbing or paved roads in the Appalachian Mountains and valleys of southeastern Kentucky, in Trosper, Kentucky. His curiosity, intelligence, can do and will do attitude served him well doing his life. He graduated with his 2 1/2 year older twin brothers from high school in Barboursville, KY.

As a young 20 year old he joined the army and trained in California and Texas before being deployed to fight in the Rheinland and Central Europe. He was a light machine gunner 604 in the infantry and he manned a 30 caliber machine gun in a halftrack. He and 2 other halftracks were cheered as they drove thru a small French town after making a wrong turn during a night convoy. Until the Germans discovered how few and captured them. He was a prisoner for 44 days before being rescued by his own unit. He served half the war under General Patton. He was in the Infantry Division transferred from the European theater to the US in June of 1945. They were scheduled to deploy to the mainland of Japan before the war ended.

S/Sgt Jesse stayed in California as an MP where he met this independent outspoken WAC at a drugstore counter reading the comics and laughing. When asked to read them to him, she told him to buy his own paper. He walked her home. This was Willie Mae Ainsworth, his future wife of 69 years before he left California to return to Kentucky.

They moved to Texas in April of 1947 after the birth of their only child, Merita. He drove a school bus for Alta Loma, Texas while going to the University of Houston where he finished his undergraduate degree in 3 years and later completed his MBA. He passed his CPA test and became a CPA in 1954. He worked as a CPA for 11 years until he became the head of the accounting department for Hughes Oil Tool Division from 1968 to 1983. After early retirement, he became a full time rancher instead of a weekend rancher.

He and his wife, Willie bought 234 acres of undeveloped land in Lee County, TX while working for Hughes Tool. They turned it into the Miracle Ranch with pastures, ponds, barns, corral and built a house, garage and workshop. They started out with 10 calves and ended up with approximately 200 head of cattle and horses before selling the cattle when Willie's health demanded closer medical care in Temple, TX in 2013. Jesse finally retired in 2013.

Along the way, they bought another 183 acres outside of Hempstead. He continued doing his own taxes until this year. Thankfully there was nothing wrong with his memory. He was still sharp as ever at 103! He lived at the Morada Temple where he celebrated many birthdays including his 102nd where he and 2 others were interviewed by the Temple Daily Telegram and presented a signed certificate from Governor Greg Abbot. When he was interviewed and asked about living such a long and happy life, he replied "marry a friend and a Texas girl at that!".

He leaves to cherish his memory his, daughter, Merita Miracle Adam; grandson, Brian Edward Adam; great grandchildren, Abby Adam, Jonah Adam, Natalie Adam; sister, Betty Jo King; 17 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Willie Miracle; grandson, Jesse Bradley Adam; parents, John and Matilda Miracle, siblings, Beverly Miracle, Herman Miracle, Herb Miracle, John Miracle, Jr., Jewel Miracle Symes, Ruby Bays, Martha Bell Hill, Charlene Vice.

Pallbearers will be Brian Adam, Britt Miracle, Larry Cooper, Alphus Shirley, Darrell Marek and Rob Lake.

A visitation will be held at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, located at 3220 South 31st Street, Temple, TX, 76502, on February 24, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. The funeral service will follow at the same location from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Burial will take place at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery on February 24, 2026, starting at 1:00 pm.