James Brady was born on February 18, 1939, in Hanover, Pennsylvania to James Brady and Catherine Freeser Brady. From a young age James, known by his friends as "Jim" and later as "Diamond Jim", had a passion for aviation. Jim enlisted in the Air Force in 1957; subsequently he qualified for the Air Cadets. There he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and went on to obtain his pilot wings. His initial assignment was to a KC-97 air refueling squadron. Shortly afterward he qualified in the new Boeing KC-135's that were coming off the production line. Jim proudly served his country during the Vietnam War, flying one tour as a EB- 66 pilot. After the war he flew worldwide reconnaissance missions in the RC-135. Jim served as Gen. Russell Dougherty's (CINSAC) pilot from 1975 to 1977. His next assignment took him to Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, Texas, where he served as a senior instructor pilot in the KC-135. "Diamond Jim" became a mentor to all the young pilots in the squadron. He was a man of strength and valor. Following his retirement from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel, Jim pursued his love of aviation and went on to work for American Airlines. There he was a simulator instructor in the Air Force KC-10 program. This led to an opportunity to fly for Federal Express from where he retired as a Captain in 1999, and continued working for Fed Ex as a flight engineer until 2007. Of all the planes Jim had the opportunity to fly, his favorite was the Boeing 707. Jim belonged to the Fraternal order of Freemasonry, Lodge No. 32 of Auburn, Kansas and the A&A Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Orient of Tx. He was also an Eagle Scout for Troop 192 in Argyle, Tx, along with being a member of the Quiet birdmen Fort Worth Hangar. After his retirement in 2007, Jim and wife Retta traveled the world. Jim was a man of the great outdoors. Some of his favorite times were spent hunting with his friends in Wyoming. He also enjoyed talking with his son, Richard Hart and grandson Dallas Hart about classic cars and airplanes. All who knew him will miss Diamond Jim.
His father, James Carroll Brady, preceded him in death. Left to honor his memory are wife, Retta Brady; son, Richard Hart; grandson, Dallas Hart; mother, Catherine Snyder.
Interment with full military honors will be at Dallas National Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers: Mike McGovern, Mike Rayburn, Carmen Villani, Dennis Anderson, Jay Miranda, Joe Brown, John Bronk, Jim Trapp, and Vinny Pastore.
Published in Star-Telegram on Dec. 14, 2014