James Howard Bradley's Obituary
James Howard Bradley was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 10, 1946, to Gladys and Norvin Bradley. At an early age, James moved with his mother, sister Muriel, and brother Louis to South San Francisco, California and eventually settled in East Palo Alto, California.
James was an outstanding scholar-athlete throughout middle school and high school, playing multiple varsity sports including football, basketball, and track. It was at Ravenswood High School where James fell in love with Nell Goodwill, and after their memorable elopement and marriage, he began working with her father Joseph Goodwill as a bail bondsperson and real estate agent. The couple later had two children (Joseph and Kacey), and he settled his family in the Bay Area, moving from East Palo Alto to Mountain View and finally landing in Milpitas, where he lived for 37 years. He transitioned careers and worked his way through the ranks to become a Retail Manager at Long’s Drugstores and CVS. He worked there for over 30 years, training and developing numerous managers, assistant managers, and clerical staff.
Although he earned many individual awards over the years, James was always happy to be a team player, and he felt strongly that his team’s success was his own. His pride in his family’s accomplishments was unmatched. He instilled in his children the importance of gaining a college education, following their dreams, and never allowing anyone to define them or stop them from achieving the highest levels of success in their lives and careers. Some of James’ key accomplishments included numerous Employee of the Year Awards and Certificates of Recognition from Longs Drugs and CVS Pharmacy; the Ravenswood High School Alumni Association Founders Award; the East Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce Award for Community Involvement, Support and Spirit; and the Special Thanks plaque from the Knights of St. Peter Claver Council 155 for his involvement with all of their charitable works in the local community.
After his retirement from CVS in December 2009, he and Nell embarked on numerous travel adventures to Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, Europe, the Mediterranean, and their favorite spot… Cache Creek Casino! He also attended family reunions that brought him to Louisiana, Texas, and Michigan, and of course, many Knights of St. Peter Claver conferences and conventions throughout the United States.
James absolutely loved cars and gadgets and was constantly teased about being Home Shopping Network’s number one customer. James was best known for his caring mentorship, providing guidance and advice to his family, friends, employees, and anyone who needed him. He was a gifted negotiator and was known for providing knowledgeable insights on a number of topics ranging from finance and investments to real estate, to raising a family and how to be an honorable husband and father. Some of his favorite times were spent with the family, spoiling his youngest relatives and neighborhood children with cash, dancing to his favorite music and reminiscing about the good ole days. James absolutely loved his family and friends.
Throughout his journeys, the Lord blessed James and God always played a significant role in his life. Even though he was raised Baptist, James was an “honorary” Catholic, and attended mass with his family every week while also being an active participant in activities hosted by the Knights of St. Peter Claver Council and Court 155 in East Palo Alto, CA. He battled melanoma, kidney disease and amyloidosis, but through it all, his faith remained strong and his trust in the Lord was unwavering. He was always kind in speaking the truth and he was truly blessed with a gift for helping people to recognize their own potential. He will be sorely missed by so many, but heaven has truly gained an angel in James!
James leaves to cherish his wife of 57 years, Nell Bradley; his son Joseph-Malik Bradley (Laurie); his daughter Kacey Bradley-Gooch (Myron); his grandchildren RaNelle Bradley (Mark), Joseph James Bradley (Evelyn), and Malcolm Gooch; his brother, Louis Bradley (Bill); his sister Muriel Bradley; sisters-in-law Martha Hanks and Mona Goodwill-Parmer (Stayce); good friend Reverend Mr. Louis Dixon; and a host of loving in-laws, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents (Gladys Bailey and Norvin Bradley), his uncles (Willie Wright, Jr., Avon Patterson, and Tariel Patterson) and his aunt (Marcila Patterson).
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