Mr. James H. "Jim" Bracy

BRACY, Mr. James H. "Jim" - Age 68, passed away Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Genesys Hospice in Goodrich, MI. Family hour 11a.m. Friday, February 1, 2013 at New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church, 1034 E. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service at 12noon. Pastor John E. Thornton officiating. Pastor Patrick W. Sanders, Sr., Host Pastor. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11a.m. Friday. Mr. Bracy will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12noon-8p.m Thursday, with family present from 3p.m.-7p.m. In lieu of flowers for Mr. James H. "Jim" Bracy, please make contributions to: GFOCA Greater Flint Olympian Canusa Games Association, In C/O Tony Sitko, 923 E. Kearsley St., Flint, MI 48503. Mr. James “Jim” Howard Bracy was born December 10, 1944 in Flora, Mississippi the eldest and only son of Julius and Estella (Hopkins) Bracy. James moved to Flint Michigan in 1950. At an early age, James was baptized by the late Rev. L. W. Owens at the True Light Missionary Baptist Church and was a member of the New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church until his death. Mr. James Howard Bracy was educated in the Flint Community Schools, attending Clark and Walker Elementary, Whittier Jr. High, and Southwestern High Schools, while attending Southwestern High School he participated and was an outstanding athlete in Track and Field, Football and Basketball. Mr. Bracy continued his education at Indiana State University where he earned a Bachelors of Science Degree and a Masters of Art Degree was received at Eastern Michigan University. Mr. Bracy was employed by the Flint Community School District, and became an influential Community School Director at Dewey and Selby Elementary Schools. During this time he mentored young boys who became productive men. When the CSD program was dissolved in 1990, Mr. Bracy became an Assistant Principal at Pierce Elementary School. He later became Principal at Coolidge Elementary School for twenty five years. During this time, his dedicated teachers made it possible for the students to score high in several subjects of the MEAP. (Michigan Education Assessment Program) Mr. Bracy retired in 2010. Mr. Bracy was involved in all fifty-six years of the Flint Olympian and Canusa Games which included his start in 1957 as a fifth grader. Mr. Bracy received the 2007 Mott-Manley Memorial Distinguish Service Award for his participation and his service as chairperson for twenty years. He continued working through the summer of 2012. In 2006 he also received the Key to the City of Flint. Mr. Bracy was a member of the “Three Amigos” (Jim Whitinger, Dan Berezny and James Bracy) Mr. Bracy was a member of the G.F.O.C.A. (Greater Flint Olympian Canusa Association). He also was a member of the selection committee for the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame. Mr. Bracy was a board member of the Flint Area School Employees Credit Union. Mr. Bracy appeared in the 2009-2010 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Zeta Beta Omega Chapter’s “Men Making a Difference “calendar for the month of March. As a local product of the Flint Schools and educator, Mr. Bracy was known throughout the City of Flint by people of all walks of life. To some he was Big Bill, James Howard, Billy, Jim, the Principal, but most of all, he was known as “Po- Jim.” Though he was known by many names, he will best be remembered as being an outstanding educator who always put children first. He leaves to cherish sweet memories: wife of 23 years, Irene Bracy of Flint, MI; four daughters, Jamie (Darius) Bracy-Bradley, Rhonda (Carlos) Mitchell-Benton, Tara (Omar) Howell and Kimberly Edwards, all of Flint; son, Aubrey Brown Sr. of Chicago, IL; nine grandchildren, DeMarkus Bracy, Jaylen Bradley, Bryson Benton, Carlos Benton Jr., Omar Dudley, Taariq Dudley and Aseeyah Howell, all of Flint, Carmesha and Aubrey Brown Jr. of Chicago, IL; three sisters, Deborah (Leroy) Battle, Carolyn (Robert) Straham and Rena (Alonzo) Sawyer, all of Flint; ten nieces, Teresa Bracy, Amica (Adrian) Cherry, Pattie Barnett, Tanya and Pamela Battle, LaTrica White, Sydnei and Syara Nall, Elaina and Joi Thompson; seven nephews, Eddie (Anita) Bracy, Rodney (Sharena) Bracy, David Barnett, Johnathan and Timothy Craig, Jeffery and Marvin Hollingsworth; four aunts, Alice Bracy, Rev. Mary Ann Thompson, Classie Thompson, and Claudia Harris; three uncles, Rev. J. S. Hopkins, Ernest Thompson, Robert Thompson; mother in law, Edith Thompson; two sisters-in-law, Marilyn (James) Hollingsworth and Melissa (Sidney) Nall; brother-in-law, Carl Gene Thompson, all of Tuscumbia, AL; a host of other relatives and friends including special sisters, Louise Clark and Constance Barnett; special brother, Robert Barnett; god daughter, Sidney Johnson; the Barnett, Floyd, Hayes, Thornton, Trice and Viverette families. Mr. James Bracy was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Estella Bracy; sisters, Juliet (Bracy) Craig and Linda Bracy-Gray. The family would like to express special thanks to: Dr. Rizwan Danish & staff, Dr. Prasad Kommareddi & staff, Dr. Sukaml Saha & staff, Dr. Oh & staff, Genesys Medical Center, Loving Hands Adult Care, Genesys Hospice Care. Pastor Patrick Sanders and the New Jerusalem Full Gospel Church, G.F.O.C.A., the long time Canusa Flint family, and the long time Canusa friends from Hamilton Ontario, and the Temple Dining Room.

Mr. James H. "Jim" Bracy

December 10, 1944 - January 22, 2013