James Hudson Bralley

October 30, 1949 – February 22, 2026

James Hudson “Jim” Bralley was born on October 30, 1949, in College Station, Texas, to Billie Jo and James Bralley. He was raised in Midland, Texas, where his father worked in the oil business. Jim and his younger sister, Tish, were brought up by devoted parents who instilled in them the values of faith, family, discipline, and hard work that would guide Jim throughout his life.

Jim graduated from Midland Lee High School as a member of the Class of 1968. He went on to attend Texas A&M University, where he was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets and played baseball. In 1972, he graduated from Texas A&M and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army, beginning a distinguished military career marked by leadership, integrity, and faithful service to his country.

On December 27, 1975, Jim married the love of his life, Jane Marie Butler, in Midland, Texas. They honeymooned in Salado, Texas, beginning a partnership that would span decades and anchor a lifetime of shared adventure and devotion.

As a military family, Jim and Jane traveled across the country and around the world. Their first child, Mary Margaret, was born in El Paso, Texas, followed by Benjamin Butler and James Demel, who were born in Germany. Along the way, the young family was surrounded by cherished friendships formed through military life. They were stationed in Killeen, Texas; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where Jim served as an instructor at the Officer’s School; and returned to Killeen.

After an impressive career of faithful service, Jim retired from the Army in 1995 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel so that his children could attend and graduate from one high school together. While Jane continued her work as an educator, Jim embraced retirement with pride and purpose, closely following his children as they attended and graduated from college.

Retirement allowed Jim to devote time to many of the things he loved. He was passionate about researching his family genealogy, carefully tracing generations and preserving the stories of those who came before him. He was an avid reader, rarely without a book nearby, always eager to learn something new. And in a delightfully unexpected twist, Jim was a devoted fan of musicals, and Celtic singing.

Jim and Jane created a home that was more than just a house — it was a refuge. Their doors were always open to their children’s friends, who flocked to enjoy the pool, the snacks, and most of all, the warmth, stability, and belonging that defined the Bralley household.

Over the next twenty-five years, Clan Bralley grew to include daughters-in-law Shannon and Tiffany and five beloved grandchildren: Elizabeth Jane (Betsy), William Joseph, James Hudson, Ella Coy, and Beau Butler Bralley. As patriarch of Clan Bralley, Jim was a devoted and intentional grandfather. The “Bralley Grands” began life in what became affectionately known as “PawPaw’s Bootcamp,” where Jim cared for each grandchild during their first year rather than sending them to church daycare. Those formative months — filled with steady routines, patience, and constant presence — created a profound bond of devotion and closeness between Jim, Jane, and their grandchildren.

As the children grew, PawPaw’s leadership continued. He faithfully helped with spelling homework after school each day — a simple but powerful act of consistency and love for which his children remain eternally grateful. Up until the end of his life, Jim continued to offer words of love, pride, and steady guidance to his children and grandchildren. Through his time, discipline, encouragement, and unwavering example, he embedded character, strong morals, and deep love into the generations that follow him.

Jim passed peacefully on February 22, 2026, surrounded by those who loved him dearly, and he has now joined Jane in Heaven.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents, Billie Jo and James Bralley; his beloved wife, Jane; and his brother-in-law, Jim.

He is survived by his sister, Tish Wilson and her husband James Wilson; his sister-in-law, Gail Berger and her husband Byron Berger; his children, Mary; Ben and Shannon Bralley; and J.D. and Tiffany Bralley; his treasured grandchildren, Elizabeth Jane (Betsy), William Joseph, James Hudson, Ella Coy, and Beau Butler Bralley; and many cherished nieces and nephews.