Early on a cool Sunday morning, September 8, 2024, Major James Alex Brazeel, USAF (Ret.), 91, took final flight to his eternal home, where both his body and his soul are whole once again.
Born January 5, 1933, in Yuma, Arizona, to the late John Hubert “Buster” Brazeel and Bessie Martha “Babe” Doig Brazeel, Jim spent most of his youth in the mountainous areas east of San Diego, California. In 1951 he graduated from Mountain Empire High School in Campo, California.
Soon afterward, in 1953, Jim’s 20-plus year military career in the United States Air Force began. An aviation enthusiast from his youth, Jim much admired his older cousin, a military navigator. Expressing interest in a similar career, Jim found that his test scores were good enough for pilot training–the profession for which he never expected to qualify! Military service took Jim to bases throughout the United States as well as Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Japan.
Following Air Force retirement in 1972, Jim moved with his family to Warren, Arkansas, to pursue a college degree. His education plans changed when Potlatch Corporation hired him as a safety engineer in 1973. But flying was Jim’s destiny. Potlatch enticed him to fly officials to various locations to monitor construction projects, etc. Soon one plane was purchased, then a second! A second pilot was hired and then a third! Eventually promoted to Chief Pilot, Jim retired from Potlatch in 1991.
Jim’s flying career spanned over 50 years and the piloting of 37 military and 27 civilian aircraft. This love of flying was passed along to both of his sons, Steve and Danny.
Retirement years included service on the Warren Water & Sewer Commission, the Bradley County Library Board, the Southeast Arkansas Regional Library Board, and the Arkansas State Library Board.
A privately spiritual person who professed genuine faith in Christ as his Savior, Jim was a member of the First Methodist Church in Warren.
Predeceased by his parents as well as one son, Steven McCrae Brazeel, M.D., of Monroe, Louisiana, Jim’s survivors include his loving wife, Harriet Ashcraft Brazeel, whom he married on October 1, 1996; one son, Daniel James Brazeel of Dallas, Texas; five granddaughters, Caroline Brazeel and Sean Brazeel Smith (Phillip), both of New Orleans, Louisiana; Stephanie Brazeel of Dallas, Texas; Audrey Brazeel Vigil (Jerard) of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Lane Brazeel (Brandon Prince) of Gentry, Arkansas; one great-granddaughter, Juliette Vigil of Santa Fe, New Mexico; one brother, Robert Payne, of Sugar Land, Texas; and his former wife and the mother of his sons, Mildred Neely Brazeel of Bentonville, Arkansas.
The family expresses heartfelt appreciation and love for those many who have prayed for Jim during his recent health struggles, as well as his many caring health professionals.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Frazer’s Funeral Home.
