John was born on September 6, 1949 in Washington, D.C., the son of James David McBrayer, Jr. and Helen Jean Paterson McBrayer. John graduated from the Columbia Military Academy in Columbia, Tennessee in 1968. Following in his father’s footsteps, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
After proudly earning the title of Marine, John matriculated at Birmingham Southern College (BSC), where he studied Political Science. There, he made lifelong friends - several of whom he also later joined in the Shelby County legal community.
John graduated from BSC in 1973. He worked as an auto mechanic and, later, for the March of Dimes before enrolling in the Birmingham School of Law. After opening his law office in 1981, John had a varied and successful legal career. For two years he served as an Assistant District Attorney for Shelby County. In 1983, he was appointed Municipal Judge for the City of Calera, Alabama - a position he held for more than 26 years. Later, he was also appointed Municipal Judge for the City of Pelham, Alabama.
In 1975, John met Susan Woodruff on a blind date in Birmingham. They were married four years later at First Christian Church. They shared a love of the outdoors and spent many happy hours camping and hiking with friends, and later, with their sons, Daniel Stuart and Timothy Richard. As a family, they visited trails and parks throughout the country. And in 2003, John and Tim went to Philmont Scout Ranch together - backpacking over 70 miles through the New Mexico wilderness.
John and Susan retired to Fairhope, Alabama in 2016, where they joined the Fairhope Yacht Club. On a clear day, John loved to go for a sail on Mobile Bay, take a sporting drive in his Miata, or go for a walk with Susan and their beloved dogs, Maggie and Tex.
John and Susan moved back to the Birmingham area in 2022, where he spent his days with friends and family.
John loved his country and heartily supported the armed services. He was a past president of the Shelby County Bar Association. He was also a past member of the Alabama State Bar, Pelham Lions Club, Shelby County Chamber, Fairhope Yacht Club, BMW Car Club of America, and the Central Alabama Miata Society. For many years, he volunteered as a soccer and baseball coach with the Shelby County YMCA.
John was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Susan; their sons, Dan (Allie) and Tim; grandsons, Ethan John and James David, IV; and brother, James David, III.
John’s memorial will be held in the Chapel at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama on Monday, April 3, 2023, with visitation at 12 noon and the service at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, John’s family suggests a donation to the USO, www.uso.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SouthernHeritageFunerals.com for John Alexander McBrayer's family.
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