James Brasington

In the twinkling of an eye, Breezy Brasington left behind all pain and weariness to enter fullness of .joy in the presence of his Savior and Lord, March 13, 2011. He was greatly loved by many and will be missed, but only for a little while by those of us who join him in trusting Jesus Christ as Savior, for we will all soon be reunited in the presence of our Lord. James Bryan Brasington was born September 2, 1925, in Heath Springs, South Carolina. He was the fourth of seven children, and came to know the Lord at the age of eight. Developing an interest in sports early in life, he attended Clemson University on a football scholarship before interrupting his education to serve in the Merchant Marines during WWII. He returned from the war to study at Stetson University, where he played football again and met his wife-to-be, Victoria Alice Young. He played professional baseball in the Florida State League and would have been drafted into the Boston Red Sox, but turned them down to follow his calling into the ministry. After marrying, he and Vickey attended Southern Seminary where their two children, Kim and Melinda (“Lindy”) were born. After completing his studies, Breezy and his family moved to Florida where he served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Umatilla. Upon feeling a call to missions, they went to Costa Rica in 1955 to study Spanish, and from there to Peru where Breezy and Vickey served as missionaries. Breezy served later as Field Representative for the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board’s work in Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, followed by his service as Area Director for all Spanish speaking countries in South America. He greatly loved the Latin people and the many missionaries he worked with. He and Vickey retired to Richmond, Virginia, from where they did volunteer mission work until she became ill. Breezy faithfully took care of his bride for the last four years of her life, soon after which he had a stroke and came to live in Fort Myers, Florida, with his daughter, her husband, Dr. Mark Gonzales, and their three sons. He remained a missionary to the very end, no longer able to travel overseas or speak eloquently because of his health, but still a pure-hearted servant and sharing the love of Christ with everyone he met. He leaves behind a legacy of laughter and joy, compassion and kindness. In yielding himself completely to the Lord, he was able to live a life devoted to loving God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, and his neighbor as himself. May our memories of him always bring us back to his motto, “It’s all about Jesus.” He is survived by his son, Kim Brasington (Gretchen) of Rock Springs, Wyoming, his daughter, Lindy Gonzales (Mark) of Fort Myers, Florida, nine grandchildren: Gwen Flake (Phillip) of Tyler, Texas, Merewyn Brasington, Phillip Gonzales, Nathan Brasington (Jerrica) of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Owen Brasington of Laramie, Wyoming, Ellen Wollman (Nate), John Michael Gonzales (Dominique), Nolan Brasington (Rachel) of Laramie, Wyoming, and Christopher Gonzales, as well as one great grandson: Garrett Flake of Tyler, Texas. He is also survived by one sister, Pat Price (Jim) of Lacanster, South Carolina , and two brothers, Ray (Sarah) of Camden, South Carolina, and Boyd (Diane) of Spartanburg, South Carolina, as well as many nieces and nephews. A service celebrating his life will be held at 2pm Saturday, March 19, 2011, at Gateway Baptist Church 13241 Griffin Dr., Fort Myers, FL 33913. An ice cream social in his honor will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to his church mission fund would be appropriate, and can be mailed to: Gateway Baptist Church, 13241 Griffin Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33913. (www.gbcfm.com * 239-561-2550)

James Brasington

September 2, 1925 - March 13, 2011