James L Brady III's Obituary
JAMES L. BRADY III (Ret.) Naval Aviator, USN
Commander James L Brady III U.S.N. (Ret.) of Falcon's Landing in Potomac Falls Virginia, age 97, died of natural causes on October 11, 2022.
Born on June 7, 1925 in Versailles, Kentucky, Jim Brady was the son of James L and Ruth Brady. Jim grew up primarily in Ashland, Kentucky. He attended Berea College for a time but ultimately graduated from the University of Kentucky. In 1944 Jim joined the United States Navy and began a career that lasted more than 30 years. At the end of the war Jim became a Navy officer candidate. He trained as a carrier-based Navy pilot which included training and qualification on the Great Lakes' based USS Sable, a freshwater carrier used to train new flyers for the US Navy during WWII. Over the next 30 years, he had a distinguished and diverse career including over 2,000 carrier landings – of which he was justifiably proud! He flew carrier-based single engine propeller fighters such as the F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair during the war. After the war he flew the twin engine night fighter F-7F Tigercat, the A-1D Skyraider, the F-6 Skyray and many others. He served aboard the USS Midway (CVA 41) as part of the attack squadron VA-25. As commander of composite squadron VC-3, he participated in the development of several of the Navy's earliest target drone programs, including the FireBee. In his last sea tours, Commander Brady served as Air Boss of the USS Shangri-La (CVA-38). Commander Brady completed his Navy career as a project manager for the Navy's Harpoon missile program.
Jim survived his first and second wives, Milly Lou Brady (1927-1977) and Sarah Ann "Sally" Brady (1928-2012). Jim Brady is survived by his sister Brownie Allen, his three sons, Lee Brady, Bruce Brady, and David Brady, son-in-law Thomas Brobson, stepdaughter Jennifer Sylvester and her husband Scott, stepdaughter Susan Hinkle and her husband Jeff, grandchildren Christopher, Jessica, and Samantha, and great-granddaughters, Avery, Madison, and Reagan.
Since 1968 Jim lived in Virginia. Jim enjoyed his beach house in Avon N.C., his friends the "Brady Bunch" of Eaker Street, the flyers of the Round Table, and his Corgis.
Jim will be missed and always remembered for his many Naval aviation stories (once landing in a French vineyard!), his love of fine Kentucky Bourbon, and for his mint juleps to be enjoyed while watching the Kentucky Derby.
A memorial service will be held on Monday October 24 at 2 p.m. at the Falcon's Landing Chapel.
Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Please share condolences with the family www.LoudounFuneralChapel.com
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