James Bradley

James R. "Jim" Bradley of Madison and Fish Creek, Wisconsin, and Naples, Florida passed away May 18. Jim was born on October 17, 1925, to Louis and Floretta Bradley. He married Arlene Parman of Madison on January 26, 1952. He graduated from Madison West High in 1943, the University of Wisconsin in 1950, and the Indiana University Savings and Loan Graduate Program in 1966. Jim was a member of the Downtown Madison Optimist Club, the Madison Club, Nakoma Country Club and Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. He served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Jim was past president and board chair of Home Savings Bank in Madison. He chaired several committees of the Wisconsin League of Savings Associations. He was active in community affairs, serving as president of the Methodist Hospital Foundation, president of the Downtown Madison Optimist Club and as a board member of Downtown Madison, Inc. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of Madison Masonic Lodge 325 and the Zor Temple. Jim was a member of Midvale Community Lutheran Church.

Jim possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of Madison, a city he truly loved. For many years he helped plan reunions for his West High Class of 1943. For the past several years he enjoyed monthly breakfasts with his West '43 classmates. Jim had a life-long passion for bicycles and was the owner of SPEED-O-BYKE, Inc. In recent years he revived the brand and assisted countless individuals in restoring their prized vintage "SPEED-Os", which were children's bicycles popular during the 1930s.

All those whose lives Jim touched knew him to be a kind, generous and truly caring individual. He will be remembered as a devoted husband and a loving dad who enthusiastically supported the interests of his four sons and their families. Jim is survived by his wife, Arlene; four sons, Jim (Libby Askins) of Madison, Tom (Robin) of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Tim of Pasadena, CA, and Bob (Cindy) of Farmington Hills, MI; eleven grandchildren, Kate Schmitt (Ben), Claire, Will (Laura), Nathan (Nenette), Sarah Cotey (Michael), Graham (Maria), Reed, James, Sam, Max, and Emma; and two great-grandchildren, Nora and Benson Schmitt. Jim was preceded in death by his mother, father and sister, Mrs. Laurence Gibbs.

Cherished memories will be shared at a private family gathering. The family would like to express its deepest gratitude for the care and compassion provided by the exceptional staff of Agrace HospiceCare.