James Brazell Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by James Funeral Home on Mar. 22, 2025.

James "Jim" Edward Brazell, 75, of Davidson, NC died March 21, 2025. He was born on March 1, 1950 in Carlisle, PA to the late Dewey and Fern Brazell.
 

Jim grew up in Richmond, Virginia and enjoyed his high school years playing football, shining in track and field, and spending his days with his friends. He continued his love of playing football at Clemson, his beloved Tigers, and graduated in 1972 with a degree in Agriculture Economics. He was a proud member of his fraternity and maintained his deep friendships over the last 57 years. After graduation, he served as a Lieutenant in the United States Army Signal Corps. Jim met the love of his life and best friend Mary Lee in 1971 and they married in Camden, SC in February 1973. Jim began his career with Purina in 1974. He worked with Purina for 38 years making numerous family moves including Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, Colorado and then finally landing in Charlotte in 1985. Jim wore his checkerboard with pride and was able to entertain the masses at annual CHC and GSAB meetings while traveling the country with Mary Lee. His career at Purina was one that impacted many and the friendships made were lifelong.
 

Without a doubt, Jim's deepest love was for his family. He was committed to his role of husband to Mary Lee and dad to daughters, Barbara and Tracy. Jim and Mary Lee did everything together and spent 52 years building the happiest life together filled with laughter, treasured memories, and so so many stories. He was the ever present, devoted, and proud dad who never missed a game, an accomplishment, or an event in which his daughters were involved. Once grandchildren arrived, Jim discovered a new unimaginable love and was able to acquire a new portfolio of stories. He spent the last 21 years cheering on the grandchildren at every sporting event imaginable. Jim and Mary Lee made more trips than they can count with their children and grandchildren. They hold tight the memories of their beach trips to Litchfield, cruises, trips out west, and adventures to the Caribbean. His faith guided and comforted him throughout his lifetime.
 

After retirement in 2012, Jim could almost always be found playing golf, tennis, pickleball and attending book club with his buddies. He found great joy in cheering on various Clemson sports teams alongside Mary Lee. Jim enjoyed his time volunteering and serving others through various ministries, his most favorite of recent time was volunteering with the Second Harvest food truck ministry. Jim also had a love of fishing, kayaking, yard work, relaxing on the beach, and taking many many walks with his golden doodle, Dabby. No matter what he was doing he was telling stories, and if he didn't have a story for it, he could certainly make something up. Jim knew no stranger, his laughter was contagious and he made all who knew him feel special.
 

Survivors include his wife Mary Lee; daughters, Barbara Moore and husband Travis of Cornelius and Tracy Baker and husband Matt of Wake Forest; grandchildren, Riley, Henry and Cooper Moore and Brooke, Paige and Peyton Baker; sister, Barbara Ipock; and a large extended family who loved him dearly
 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association; https://www.heart.org/?form=FUNELYZXFBW or Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina https://www.secondharvestmetrolina.org
 

A service to celebrate his life will be held Thursday, March 27 at Davidson United Methodist Church at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends from 1-2pm in the church fellowship hall. After the service, there will be a gathering for friends and family at River Run Country Club from 3-5 pm.
 

James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.